We are using a Sorvall Cellwasher 2. We do a daily check for fill levels by visual inspection, and weekly measure the dispense volume (as well as daily and weekly cleaning). RPMs, timer checks, and electrical checks are done quarterly by Bio Med. The AABB recommends checking resuspension of the red cell button, dryness of the cell button, and inspection of the size of the cell button after saline is dispensed. There is no recommendation for how often this should be done. Their procedure requires that tubes are placed all 12 slots. Is anyone doing this, and, if so, how often?

We document the same function checks that you do. The techs are instructed to look at the button before manually adding AHG, and we use the strength of check cells to verify that the washing was sufficient. The CW2 has a built-in resuspend cycle, unlike older models, so button resuspension is never a problem.

Since converting to gel, we hardly ever use our cell washer any more, and I worry most about the lines getting contaminated from non-use.

Do you do this daily?

We are checking cell button, dryness, etc on a weekly basis. However, I am thinking of changing this to monthly since we hardly ever use our cell washer.

Does the owner's manual mention anything about the frequency of these checks? Our manual only says to wash rotor and flush with bleach weekly.

No, the manual doesn't give a recommendation for how often to check the cell button, etc., and neither does the Technical Manual. However, the Technical Manual recommends checking the fill level daily and the dispense volume weekly.

We check resuspend, cell button, etc. daily when we wash our daily tube QC.

Dade cellwashers, even though they have a resuspend cycle, don't completely resuspend the cell button between washes. This is why they aren't as good for PEG testing. This might be where the recommendation to check this came from.