How to Load a Medical Automatic Washer

Manufacturers of MAWs

Manufacturers of the MAW are instructing CSD professionals on proper preparation and the loading of instruments into their equipment. That information can be found in their user manuals and white papers:

“Over recent years, there have been growing concerns about the effectiveness of decontamination techniques for reusable medical instrumentation in healthcare facilities... another concern is for the safety of the healthcare workers handling products potentially contaminated with bloodborne pathogens.”¹²

“A low-level disinfection process is required to ensure the protection of hospital staff handling the items during the re-assembly, preparation, and packing for sterilization.”¹³

Ensuring the MAW is working properly and staff understands how to load instruments into the MAW is crucial to achieving the goal of surgical instruments that are safe to handle and assemble.

Tips for loading surgical instruments:¹⁴

Open all instruments, especially clamps

Keep spray arms free from obstructions

Keep instruments in a basket; avoid overloading a basket

Do not allow items to protrude outside confines of the rack

Incorrect basket loading/overloading could lead to serious personal injury and/or costly damage.¹⁵

Improper loading can be both a safety factor for staff and patients as well as causing damage to surgical instruments if not done properly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.