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you're just turning things around faster."
Open or closed architecture?
A closed, proprietary system won't let you interface
with other systems and is likely to be more expen-
sive in the long run. Those with open architecture
can accommodate other vendors' tracking and data
systems, among other considerations.
"It's definitely an advantage not to get locked into one system," says
Ms. Maleski. "If you have the ability to interface with several manufac-
turers, you'll have the ability to better match your needs."
Keep in mind also that all washers need detergents and solutions to
do the job. A vendor can't force you to use its detergents and solu-
tions, but the small print might require you to do so to keep the war-
ranty intact, cautions Ms. Maleski, adding that "there's definitely an
advantage from a cost standpoint to have the ability to use non-propri-
etary detergents and solutions."
Employee and patient safety
"The unsung heroes in healthcare are the men and
women grinding it out in the basement and some
washers have designs that are more conducive to
employee safety," says Dr. Schabowsky. "These
healthcare workers know they need to be on at all
times, but nobody can do that, so you want to minimize possible mis-
takes and the chance that they'll be exposed to biohazards when they
think an instrument is clean, but it isn't. You never want to see
employees being splashed."
The pass-through, double-door design lets you feed instruments
in on one side, and, once they're clean, they come out through
S T E R I L E P R O C E S S I N G
