Problem:

After accidents or during disasters there is seldom the possibility for emergency doctors and medical staff to disinfect or at least wash their hands. In this case there is a high risk of infection and the threat to contaminate wounds because of dirt.

Development objectives:

By the help of an experienced voluntary member of the civil protection in Meiningen (Thuringia, Germany) we developed the LAVUS. The intention was to offer medical staff the possibility to disinfect or wash their hands and gloves after accidents or during disasters.

Application range:

• Use after accidents / multiple pile-up:
  for disinfection of the medical staff
• Use after disaster:
  for disinfection of the medical staff and washing place for all relevant people
• Use during big events / festivals:
  as washing place near lavatories for visitors

Transportability:

The low weight of the LAVUS and the slim design allows the transport in a small lorry or a transporter to the usage site.

Characteristics:

The LAVUS was designed to get transported to the usage site as quick as possible. To ensure a good handling we paid special attention to a light-weight design. Thanks to the installation of rollers the LAVUS can be moved quickly in the required position. The LAVUS can be moved on gravel paths as well. Because of the low weight and good maneuvrability the LAVUS can be moved by women as well.

Dispensers for soap, disinfectant and brushes are installed to provide similar conditions as an operation room. For drying the hands/gloves the LAVUS has also a dispenser for paper towels. The fixtures and dispensers can be used with arm or elbow, so that already washed hands/gloves not get contaminated. The wastewater will be collected in a separate, portable water tank. The used paper towels and/or waste will be disposed of in a separate, portable trash bag. The equipment of the mobile washing place equates to established hygiene regulations.

Design:

The base frame is made from aluminium square profiles and plastics-aluminium plates in sandwich construction. A wide base with mounted rolls gives the LAVUS a high stability. The rolls are fixable to prevent unmeant rolling.

Front side:
The washbasin with water tap is installed at an ergonomic height in the front. Furthermore there are dispensers for soap, disinfectant, paper towels and brushes. For use in twilight or in the night there is a light on top at the front side.

Back side:
The trash bag and the collection tank for wastewater are placed on a massive metal plate (material thickness: 4 mm). The tank for fresh water is mounted on the back side over the washbasin. It is a welded, varnished metal tank (material thickness: 1,5 mm) with a capacity of ca. 40 liters.

There is an additional connector at the connection between tank and water tap to provide the LAVUS with fresh water from a road tanker or something similar. Furthermore the LAVUS is equipped optionally with a heater in the fresh water tank that heats the water up to 40 °C.

Sidewise:
There are handholds on both sides of the LAVUS for pushing/pulling. For lifting by crane there are 2 crane eyes sidewise on top of the LAVUS.

Advantages:

• light weighted and easy to transport
• easy moving because of swivel rollers
• easy cleaning of the surface and the water basin
• easy supply of fresh water via tank or water connection
• easy removing of the trash bag and the tank for wastewater