To provide high-quality training and ensure the reliable care of a high volume of patients, university hospitals require efficient, optimally coordinated solutions for instrument reprocessing. MELAG supports you every step of the way – from room and process planning, through cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation, right through to documentation and service. Discover our product recommendations for universities and university hospitals.
Efficient instrument reprocessing at high capacities
The high-performance MELAtherm 20 thermal disinfector enables the automated cleaning and disinfection of large quantities of instruments. With the appropriate loading configurations, up to 16 standard wash trays can be processed in the lower basket, along with additional smaller wash trays in the upper basket. This enables university hospitals to achieve reliable reprocessing results and efficient processes for instrument sets used in both clinical treatment and training, even when dealing with high patient volumes.
At dental universities, the rapid reprocessing and maintenance of handpieces and contra-angles is also particularly important. Careclave and MELAcare complement the workflow perfectly: cleaning, disinfection and oil maintenance can be completed in as little as 14 minutes – for up to 144 instruments per working day. This ensures that sufficient reprocessed instruments are available at all times, even when dealing with large volumes of instruments in student clinical training courses.
The MELAseal 200 and MELAseal 300 bar sealers enable the validatable packaging of critical medical devices in sterilisation pouches. The MELAseal 300’s automatic film feed ensures particularly efficient processes: even large quantities of individual instruments can be packaged quickly, continuously and reliably.
If the university hospital uses instrument sets in wash-tray systems, these can be packaged in sterilisation containers. This reduces the use of single-use packaging, speeds up the workflow and ensures a reliable sterile barrier system.
High-performance sterilisation for high throughput
For the sterilisation of large volumes of medical devices, MELAG offers high-performance autoclaves with a chamber volume of up to 200 litres. The Vacuclave 550 and the Cliniclave series support an efficient and reliable sterilisation workflow in university hospitals. Depending on the layout and process requirements, single- or double-door solutions are available – optimally tailored to the workflows of your AEMP (medical device reprocessing unit)
Comprehensive documentation and secure release
Traceability and reliable proof of instrument reprocessing are also of central importance in university hospitals. MELAtrace Pro supports comprehensive documentation and release of reprocessed instruments and instrument sets.With load management, tamper-proof reprocessing logs and barcode labelling, the documentation and release software ensures maximum transparency. This allows each reprocessing process to be clearly assigned and the proper sequence of instrument reprocessing to be documented in a traceable manner.
Danube Private University x MELAG
For its Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University in Krems an der Donau, Austria, has opted for five MELAtherm units, two MELAseal Pro units, four Vacuklav 40 B+ units and one Cliniclave 45. The equipment is supplemented by 1,000 containers, as well as MELAtrace and MELAprint 60 for labelling. This creates a seamlessly coordinated process – from cleaning through to documentation.
Thousands of medical and dental universities around the world train large numbers of students. A high volume of patients and changing groups of students place particular demands on efficient instrument reprocessing.
Whether instrument reprocessing is carried out centrally in a dedicated reprocessing room or decentrally across several locations depends on patient and student throughput, the available space and the existing staffing arrangements. Involving MELAG in the planning stage from the very beginning lays the foundations for a reprocessing process that is optimally tailored to the specific university hospital.
As part of a modernisation project, the University of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina has established an efficient sterilisation process for around 200 students per semester. Eight MELAtherm units, three MELAseal Pro units, eight clinical autoclaves, three large-capacity autoclaves and 700 MELAstore trays and boxes were installed.
Centralised instrument reprocessing at Danube Private University: efficient, independent and traceable
Challenge: High student numbers in a limited space
Founded in 2012, Danube Private University combines modern dental training and clinical patient care under one roof. Each semester, 48 students are trained, whilst around 200 students are present in the clinic every day. Up to 400 to 500 patients are treated each day across 48 treatment stations. The demands on the availability of hygienically reprocessed instruments are correspondingly high.
Before planning the reprocessing system, a fundamental decision had to be made: should the university reprocess its instruments in-house or use the large external reprocessing service provider based in Krems? However, an external solution would have meant additional transport routes, longer turnaround times and greater dependence on fixed collection and delivery cycles. For the treatment courses, on the other hand, it was crucial that instruments were made available again quickly, reliably and in sufficient quantities.
Solution: A high-performance central AEMP
Danube Private University therefore opted for its own central medical device reprocessing unit (AEMP). The solution combines high capacity with efficient, clearly structured processes – all within as compact a footprint as possible.
Five MELAtherm thermal disinfectors and three ultrasonic cleaners enable the rapid cleaning and disinfection of large quantities of instruments. The instruments are then packed using two MELAseal Pro sealing machines or into a stock of around 1,000 sterilisation containers. Four Vacuklav 40 B+ units, each with a chamber volume of 18 litres, and one Cliniclave 45 with a 100-litre chamber are available for sterilisation. The combination of several compact autoclaves and one large autoclave allows for flexible adaptation to varying loads and peak utilisation.
MELAtrace is used to electronically document and authorise the reprocessing procedures. MELAprint 60 handles the labelling of instruments and sets. This creates a seamless, traceable workflow – from cleaning and disinfection through to packaging and sterilisation, right through to documented release. The department’s own AEMP thus lays the foundation for independent processes, short instrument turnaround times and reliable conditions for learning and treatment.
Arab Academy relies on MELAG
With 210 treatment units and up to 200 students per semester, the Arab Academy in Kerdasa, Egypt, required a high-performance instrument reprocessing system. To this end, a comprehensive MELAG system solution was installed: comprising MELAtherm, MELAseal Pro, Vacuklav 43 B+ and MELAtrace. A member of staff from the distribution partner supported the project on site for a year, providing training, induction and service.
Centralised instrument reprocessing using a two-room concept at the University of Sarajevo: greater capacity, flexibility and process reliability
As part of a comprehensive modernisation project, the University of Sarajevo planned to reorganise its dental clinic. With 159 treatment stations and around 200 students per semester, large quantities of instruments need to be reprocessed reliably and quickly every day. During the initial planning stage, the focus was primarily on the treatment concept. However, the future requirements for instrument reprocessing had not yet been adequately taken into account.
Decentralised reprocessing directly within the individual treatment areas would, on this scale, have led to inconsistent procedures, a high level of manual effort and limited capacity. Together with MELAG, the university therefore developed a needs-based approach: a shift from decentralised processes to a central reprocessing unit for medical devices. The new hygiene workflow was designed to enable high throughput whilst remaining flexible enough to cope with varying volumes of instruments and loading situations.
From an existing room to a central AEMP
A particular challenge was integrating the new reprocessing facility into the existing building structure. To this end, a former conference room and two storage rooms were converted into a clearly separated two-room layout. In the non-clean area, eight thermal disinfectors carry out the mechanical cleaning and disinfection of the instruments. The reprocessed instruments are then transferred to the clean area, where packaging, sterilisation, release and distribution take place.
For sterilisation, the University of Sarajevo relies on a combination of eight Vacuclave autoclaves and three models from the Cliniclave series. The different chamber sizes allow for flexible loading, short cycle times and the distribution of instrument quantities according to demand. This means that both smaller loads and extensive instrument sets can be sterilised efficiently.
In addition, around 700 MELAstore trays and boxes are in use. They reduce manual steps, simplify transport between treatment and reprocessing, and support a standardised instrument cycle. In this way, a high-performance central AEMP has been created from limited floor space, meeting the high demands of teaching and patient care.
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Conclusion: Successful instrument reprocessing begins with comprehensive planning
The projects at Danube Private University, the University of Sarajevo and the Arab Academy demonstrate that an effective instrument reprocessing system is not achieved simply by selecting individual pieces of equipment. What is crucial is an overall concept that takes into account spatial conditions, the volume of instruments, treatment procedures and future capacity requirements right from the start.
The earlier instrument reprocessing is incorporated into the planning of the university hospital, the better the layout, walking routes and hygiene processes can be coordinated. In doing so, the focus should not be solely on individual process steps such as cleaning, packaging or sterilisation. It is only the interplay of all work steps – from the return of contaminated instruments to their documented release – that creates a safe and efficient instrument cycle.
Equally important is flexible equipment. The combination of different equipment capacities makes it possible to reprocess both small loads and large quantities of instruments as required. Having several pieces of equipment that can be used in parallel also increases availability, shortens turnaround times and reduces the impact of any potential breakdowns. Innovative and optimally sized solutions can also minimise the long-term costs associated with maintenance, validation and repairs.
A reliable service partner is a key factor for success in this regard. Professional installation, regular maintenance, rapid technical support and ongoing training ensure that the planned processes are implemented safely in day-to-day operations.
The most important insight from the university projects is therefore this: early, holistic and flexible planning lays the foundation for maximum process reliability, short instrument turnaround times and consistently reliable conditions for teaching and patient care.
Success Stories
Success despite a high volume of instruments
See for yourself the excellent feedback we’ve received from our customers in the sectors of outpatient surgery centres, day clinics, medical care centres (MVZ) and smaller hospitals. Because we want to make the instrument reprocessing process more efficient and simpler. That has been our mission ever since we were founded in 1951.
With the innovative device concept, Cliniclave 45 ensures safe and fast availability of sterile instruments.
The Surgical Center Berger Klinik
"Quick and safe sterilization of an increased number of instruments makes for higher efficiency and improves the the patient welfare."
Hospital Sandnes Emergency Center
"We need safe and fast sterilisation of instruments for emergency treatment - that is why we have chosen the Cliniclave 45 from MELAG."
Surgery Center in Potsdam
"The Cliniclave 45 is an entirely reliable large steam sterilizer producing excellent drying results and short program run times."
The Surgical Center Berger Klinik
"Quick and safe sterilization of an increased number of instruments makes for higher efficiency and improves the the patient welfare."
The single-door large autoclave with a capacity of 105 litres (1 sterilization unit) guarantees reliable sterilization of up to 35 kg loads in the shortest possible time thanks to the patented double-jacket technology.
