Welcome to the October edition of Zoo News
In this edition, we are excited to share highlights from the recent IHEA Healthcare Facilities Management Conference held at Marvel Stadium, where Atherton showcased our innovative Duck bedpan washer and utensil washer disinfectors. This conference was a fantastic opportunity for engineers and facility managers to explore the vital role they play in ensuring safe healthcare environments.
Additionally, we proudly supported the Cancer Council through our biggest Morning Tea fundraising event, raising funds to advance critical cancer research and support services.
We also introduce some of our latest innovations, including the Gen5 Electronic Bowie Dick test, designed to enhance sterilization processes while minimising environmental impact.
Lastly, we bid farewell to two esteemed colleagues, Brian Littlewood and Phil Young, who have dedicated nearly seven decades of combined service to Atherton. Their contributions will be missed, and we wish them well in their retirement.
Enjoy this issue, and thank you for being part of the Atherton community!
Atherton were pleased to be a part of the (IHEA) – Institute of Healthcare Engineering national conference held at Marvel Stadium in June of this year and showcase the Duck bedpan and utensil washer disinfectors.
The Engineers and Engineering facility managers can be a vital aspect in improving and supporting a safe healthcare environment both in medical and research facilities.
Atherton held a Biggest Morning tea fundraising event on Wednesday 22nd May to support the Cancer Council to raise funds and awareness for those impacted by cancer, we were able to raise $468. Every single dollar raised makes such a life-changing difference in funding vital cancer research, prevention programs and support services for cancer patients and their families.
The Bowie-Dick test is utilised to determine the air removing efficiency of a pre-vacuum steam sterilizer; an insulating or shielding pocket of air surrounding an object may prevent sterilization of that object. The original test pack was developed in England by Dr. J. Bowie and Mr. J. Dick in 1963. Since that time, the Bowie-Dick type test has widely been recognised as a valuable means of monitoring the air removal efficiency of pre-vacuum steam sterilizers.
The original test consisted of 29-36 huckaback type towels, each folded and stacked to a height of 10 -11 inches. A sheet of paper with chemical indicator tape (applied in the pattern of a St. Andrew’s cross) was placed in the centre of the towel stack. The towel stack was then placed inside a metal dressing casket or equivalent container.
Due to the lack of available materials originally specified for the Bowie-Dick type test pack, alternate configurations evolved in the 1970’s. Cotton surgical towels were substituted for the huckaback towels; pre-printed chemical indicator sheets replaced the St. Andrews’ cross pattern of indicator tape; muslin, and eventually non-woven surgical wrap material replaced the metal casket.
The 1980’s brought the first single-use, disposable Bowie-Dick test pack. This was a significant development in that for the first time, a convenient, yet reproducible test pack could be used, which was also less expensive. This innovation eliminated the cost of securing huckaback type towels, the time-consuming task of laundering the towels between tests, the labour involved in pack assembly, and the storage space needed for the towel test packs.
Despite these advantages over the original test, the disposable Bowie Dick often still requires the user to dismantle the test device to retrieve the indicator, interpretation of the results can change amongst users and difficulties with archiving chemical indicators over long time periods can also be an issue.
To overcome these issues, electronic alternatives have been available since the late 1990’s. Electronic Bowie Dick type tests assess the important physical parameters of the sterilization process with far more accuracy than the disposable Bowie Dick and with no disposable indicators, are far better for the environment.
In recent years some steam sterilizers such as the Atherton Gen5 Series have incorporated a Bowie-Dick type test cycle into their process. In addition to providing a more accurate assessment of sterilization parameters, it can also;
As well as meeting ISO 11140-4 standards, The Gen5 Electronic Bowie-Dick type test offers a modern solution for steam penetration detection, providing reliable and accurate results with minimal environmental impact and operator intervention. We call it the Self-Monitoring Air Removal Test or SMART cycle.
 | If you have a Gen5 sterilizer and want to start using the inbuilt SMART cycle, call your Account Manager to discuss how you can have this cycle setup on your steam sterilizer. Concord Hospital in NSW are using the SMART cycle feature, here Babu from CCSD discusses the benefits of this feature with NSW Account Manager Ashish Bhatia . “We are not testing the sterilizers manually which means at the start of the shift sterilizers are ready for use. We have noticed it has helped us manage the workflow smoothly. |
Further, we are not using the challenge device and chemical indicators anymore which means less resources are spent on buying them and no issue of storing indicators.
The printout we get from the machine clearly shows the parameters as well as the cycle result, this is simple to understand and interpret too.
Overall, we are happy with the result of automatic testing (SMART CYCLE)”.
We bid a fond farewell to two dedicated Atherton employees in NSW who have collectively served for 68 years, an impressive achievement
It’s truly remarkable to hear about Brian’s journey with Atherton, starting as an electrician in 1985 and rising through the ranks to become the NSW State Manager and then NSW Sales Manager. His contributions and presence to his customers and Atherton will surely be missed across the NSW sites.
Above Phil is pictured with the NSW service team.
Phil Young, like Brian, has had a long and successful career with Atherton, providing excellent service to customers in New South Wales, particularly in the Northern region. It’s impressive to note that he has been able to maintain a high level of respect and expertise over his 29-year tenure.
Scott Tattersall has taken over Brian Little wood’s role of State Account Manager NSW (South & Southwest) & ACT whilst Nitin Kumar has moved into the NSW Service Manager role
Best wishes to both gentleman on their retirement and congratulations to Scott and Nitin for taking on the different roles within the company.
 | Meet Leyenda Barrett – Clinical Education SpecialistWe are thrilled to introduce Leyenda Barrett, our Clinical Education Specialist at Atherton. With 27 years of experience and a strong passion for empowering others through education, Leyenda plays a pivotal role in helping clients excel in the CSSD industry. Holding a Cert IV in Training and Assessment and a Cert IV in Sterilization and Supervision, she brings extensive knowledge and a hands-on approach to every training session. Leyenda’s dedication to effective and engaging education ensures that clients not only meet their department policies and procedures but also feel confident in maintaining their equipment and utilising Atherton’s products. Her enthusiasm, expertise, and client-centered focus make her an invaluable part of the Atherton team, driving success and satisfaction for those she works with. Welcome, Leyenda! |
 | Meet Zaklina Negri – State Account Manager WAWe are excited to introduce Zaklina Negri, our State Account Manager for WA. With over 20 years of experience in the CSSD industry, Zaklina is a trusted expert in helping clients ensure the safe and efficient operation of their sterilization equipment. She holds a Diploma of Management and Leadership, alongside a Certificate VI in Sterilizing Services, and multiple qualifications in workplace safety and training. Zaklina excels in managing regulatory requirements, identifying compliance gaps, and conducting regular skills assessments to maintain high standards across her clients’ teams. Her deep knowledge of Reusable Medical Devices and Reprocessing Equipment helps her clients not only meet industry regulations but also extend the lifespan and efficiency of their equipment, reducing costs and minimizing downtime. With a strong focus on team efficiency and client satisfaction, Zaklina is passionate about making a difference in the healthcare industry and ensuring that patients are kept safe through high-quality equipment performance. Welcome, Zaklina! |
The chamber filter is a stainless-steel filter that can fit in the palm of your hand. They are used to filter debris from the INSIDE of the chamber through a mesh screen. It’s important to keep these filters clean as it prevents debris from entering other areas of your machine where they could cause damage and clog. If your drain filter is clogged, it can create a blockage in your sterilizer’s drain line, which slows the exhaust line. If left untreated, over time, your drain line could become completely blocked, preventing your sterilizer from exhausting at all – and if your sterilizer can’t exhaust, you can’t safely open the chamber.
These in-house training sessions offer an opportunity for new and experienced CSSD staff to learn about steam and low-temperature sterilisation, mechanical decontamination and validation while getting hands-on with the equipment. The day also includes a tour of the facilities where our world-class sterilizers are manufactured.
Location: Atherton Head Office, 372-376 Darebin Road, Alphington. Victoria Numbers are limited so don’t miss out. To book call Customer Service on 1300 580 870 or info@atherton.net to reserve a place.
Tea and coffee along with a light lunch will be provided. Closed shoes must be worn for the factory tour.
Atherton Study Days
Melbourne
Date: Thursday 5th December
Location: Atherton Head Office, 372-376 Darebin Road, Alphington. Victoria
Victorian Medtech Showcase
Jumar Bioincubator, CSL on Elizabeth Street, Melbourne October 3rd 2024
ABSANZ Annual Conference (The Association of Biosafety for Australia and New Zealand)
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Monday 4th Nov – Friday 8th Nov 2024
2024 Australasian College for Infection Prevention & Control International Conference
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – 17th-20th November 2024
25th World Sterilization Conference
Santiago Chile – 20-23rd November 2024
The Australian Health Design Conference 2024
Aerial UTS Function Centre (235 Jones Street, Ultimo NSW) – 26th-27th November 2024
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