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Washer/Sterilizing units designed for automatic or semiautomatic washing (i.e., eliminating dirt and/or stains), removal of organic debris (e.g., blood, fat, bone), and killing all microorganisms including spore-forming bacteria (unless they are present in very high numbers), providing a high level of disinfection that is nearly sterile for surgical instrument and/or other central supply carts. These units typically consist of one or two corrosion-resistant chambers with front (i.e., roll-in/roll-out models) or front-and-back doors that permit pass through of carts (i.e., tunnel type); a control panel, and appropriate pumps, jets (booms) and other accessories needed to perform the washing and sterilizing cycles on the soiled carts. Cart washer/sterilizing units perform a cycle of operations typically including mechanical removal of contaminants by water jets, detergent wash, and germicide application (usually performed using high-pressure booms), and thermal drying. They are used mainly in the central supply area of a healthcare facility. Dedicated units for open-top carts and for bin/shelf-type carts are available.
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