Leading hygiene institutes such as the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) recommend to use a thermal, machine disinfection process to clean care utensils. Disinfection performance is defined by the A0 value.
The A0 value...
... is a way to measure how many microorganisms are killed or inactivated in moist-heat disinfection processes.
... is a disinfection parameter that should be reached on the surface of medical devices.
... is based on effectivetemperature-time ratio.
... can be measured using a data-registration device called thermologger.
... is defined in the following norm: EN DIN ISO 15883-1.
Low temperatures for a long contact time
= same efficacy =
as high temperatures for a short contact time
Contact time |
| Temperature | A0 value |
In minutes | In seconds | In °C | |
10 | 600 | 70 | 60 |
1 | 60 | 80 | |
6 | 90 | ||
100 | 6,000 | 70 | 600 |
10 | 600 | 80 | |
1 | 60 | 90 | |
500 | 30,000 | 70 | 3,000 |
50 | 3,000 | 80 | |
5 | 300 | 90 |
Theoretical reference values
Hygiene specialists in each institution decide on the A0 values to be met, in conversation with the health authorities.
The following recommendations apply to care utensils:
A0 600:
- (Possible) microbial contamination with bacteria, fungi, temperature-sensitive viruses like coronaviruses and noroviruses
- No heat-resistant, disease-causing microorganisms
A0 3,000:
- Contact with damaged skin (e.g. bedsores)
- for diseases involving thermostable viruses (e.g. hepatitis viruses)
– Minimum –
As per DIN EN 15883-3, an A0 value of 60 may be sufficient if there is certainty that the bedpan will never come into contact with even mildly damaged skin and that no heat-resistant pathogens are present. However, to protect health, its use is not advised.
You're in safe hands with MEIKO
MEIKO washer-disinfectors can be activated with your required A0 value at any time. To achieve this, our machines are fitted with several possible settings in the factory.
TOPIC
appliances
![TOPIC bedpan washer TOPIC bedpan washer MEIKO](https://cdn.meiko-global.com/fileadmin/_processed_/a/c/csm_TOPIC-10-Steckbeckenspueler_1_16zu9_b2d7170b0c.jpg)
with MEIKO Airstream (option)
A0 60,
A0 600 (from 2008)
A0 3,000 (from 2013)
TopLine
appliances
![TopLine bedpan washer feces washer TopLine](https://cdn.meiko-global.com/fileadmin/_processed_/b/e/csm_TopLine-10-Steckbeckenspueler_16zu9_e195c1f833.jpg)
A0 60
A0 600
A0 3,000 (from 2005)