How to Load a Medical Automatic Washer

The role of the MAW is to make sure items are safe to handle at the next stage in the process. If instruments are not exposed to the process there can be concerns. The International Association for Health Care Service Materiels Management (IAHCSMM) technical manual points this out: “Washer-decontaminators help reduce the handling of contaminated articles by central service employees which, in turn, limits their exposure to biohazards.”²⁵

This statement supports exposing the instruments to the cleaning process and following manufacturers' guidelines: “The instruments should be placed on instrument carriers (trays) suitable for machine-based cleaning, thereby helping to ensure that they will be properly washed and rinsed. Effective cleaning requires that articulated instruments (such as scissors, clamps, and forceps) be processed in the open position to minimize surface overlapping. Complex instruments must be taken apart for cleaning in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.”²⁶

Steve Johnson, a CSD manager, wrote, “... in order to ensure adequate mechanical cleaning, you must avoid excess density in each basket, as well as over stacking many baskets...prepare instrument washer loads by opening instruments box locks, organizing washer baskets to keep sets from being mixed and arranging the baskets to ensure all items come in contact with detergent and spray action...”²⁷