Dishwashing Shared Service

Dishwashing and autoclaving services are available to all Cancer Center scientists located in either the Levy or Salmon buildings.

Centralization of these essential bench-scientist support services precludes the need for individual scientists and labs to invest in the space, equipment and personnel necessary to perform these essential and time-consuming services.

Facility Location & Hours

Levy Building, room 0939
Open 24 x 7 for customer glassware drop-off

If you have any questions or want to discuss your particular situation, please contact the DSS Facility Supervisor at DSS@azcc.arizona.edu.

Services

1. Dishwashing

2. Autoclaving sterilization by high pressure steam heat

3. DSS Staff pickup & drop-off of glassware in AZCC labs; no charge for pick up and delivery 

4. Service goal: To return all items the same day as pick up; most often they are returned within 80- minutes of the DSS Team having received the items.
    
5. Emergency Support: Though the need is rare, DSS Director Nicco Tuscaney can be reached at anytime at (520) 270-4460.

Pricing

• Current Price $6 per load
   
• No charge for pickup or drop-off to the labs
   
• Billing sent monthly via the Business Office Accountants 
   
• Charges are based on quantitative unit, "a load"
  • A load corresponds to one dishwasher load
  • Labs are not charged per bucket
  • If one bottle is washed the lab will be charged for a load because the dishwasher was occupied, utilized soap, staff time, etc.
  • One cylinder of pipettes corresponds to a load (FYI: one cylinder of pipettes corresponds to roughly 4 cans of pipettes)
     
• Autoclaved at no additional charge are
  • Micropipettes (Labs must deliver Micropipettes to the DDS facility)
  • Pipetmans (Labs must deliver Pipetmans to the DDS facility)
  • All solutions
  • Test tubes
  • Eppendorf tubes

Preparation & Delivery

1. All Glass Must Be Clear of Debris, Chemicals & Bio-Hazardous Material
   • All glassware must be thoroughly rinsed - this includes pipettes and glassware containing gel of any kind will be returned un-washed or washed and dirty
   • Agarose and polyacrylamide will damage the DDS dishwashers; please, rinse all flasks and beakers before the gels solidify
   • Glassware buckets must be labeled with the name of the lab and a room number specified for delivery
      
2. Drop-off Dirty Glassware at the DSS Facility 
   • Lab carts loaded with buckets must be pushed inside and clear of the door 
   • Labs without carts should place buckets on the labeled "Dirty Dishes" wire rack. If no space is available, place the buckets on the floor. DO NOT place them on ANY counter top; counter tops are reserved for clean glassware
   • If the DSS door is locked, buckets and carts can be left in the hall outside of the DSS Facility as long as they DO NOT impede traffic
      
3. Clean Glassware Must Be Stored Separately From Soiled Glassware
   • Clean micropipette cans should not be placed on top of dirty pipettes
   • Clean glassware, contaminated by dirty, will be washed at the labs expense
      
4. Pickup & Drop-off Glassware at Your Lab
   • Dirty glassware must be placed in buckets 
   • Buckets must be in the designated location for pickup (and be accessible)
   • Buckets not judged sufficiently full to constitute a "load" will not be picked up
   • Pickup time is 6 a.m.–4 p.m.; these buckets will be returned the next day
   • After 9:30 a.m., glassware must be delivered to the DSS facility by Lab Staff

Autoclave	Dishwashers	Dryers

• Autoclaving

  • Autoclaving takes takes 45 to 60 minutes

  • During sterilization all bottle caps are fastened loosely and covered in aluminum foil, and labeled for the appropriate lab

  • All media and tissue culture bottles will be autoclaved and the remaining glassware will be placed inside a drying oven

  • Autoclaving Pipettes (see Pipette Cleaning directly below) 
    
    

• Pipette Cleaning

  • Pipettes are normally returned 1 day after being received

  • Autoclaving Glass Pipettes
    • They are unplugged, rinsed, and placed into pipette cylinders
    • They are washed in an AlcotabÒ solution with warm water for three cycles, and then rinsed in distilled water for three cycles
    • Then plugged, canned, and dried in a pipette dryer if needed overnight
    • Then kept warm in the oven at 275° overnight
  • Cleaning Plastic Disposable Pipettes
    • Are washed in the AlcotabÒ solution (as above) for three cycles
    • Are rinsed for three cycles as above 
       

Procedures & Policies

• Adherence to DSS policies and procedures

  • Will make possible the fastest service
  • Above all ensure safe handling of dirty glassware
     

• Responsibility for broken glassware

  • The DSS assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged glassware
     

• Failure to comply with DSS Policies and Procedures

  • Could result in damage to the DSS washing equipment &/or lab glassware
  • Could result in Loss of Access to DSS Service
    • Each Lab has signed a formal agreement to comply with the DSS Policies & Procedures prior to starting to use the service 

 
History 

The DSS opened in 1986, and there have been significant changes and improvements over the years. Acid washing, a dangerous and costly process, is no longer offered or necessary. The same result is achieved through better practices, chemical balances, and simply hotter water. It has become more service oriented and is now open 24 x 7 for customer drop-off. This has greatly increased customer service satisfaction.

Thank you for using the Arizona Cancer Center, Dishwashing Service!