Hand hygiene is the backbone of infection control, but the conversation around hand dryers in healthcare has been clouded by outdated assumptions. Modern dryers, especially high‑performance models likeModern dryers, especially high‑performance models like the Mitsubishi Electric Wave range, are engineered to meet the strict hygiene, airflow, and compliance requirements of clinical environments When specified and installed correctly, they offer a safe, efficient, and cost‑effective alternative to paper towels.
Are Hand Dryers Suitable for Healthcare?
For years, older warm‑air dryers created concerns due to slow dry times, unfiltered airflow, and noisy operation. But the Jet Towel technology used in Mitsubishi Electric Wave hand dryers is fundamentally different.
Modern dryers use HEPA‑filtered, high‑velocity airflow that removes particulates before air reaches the hands. This means the air used for drying is significantly cleaner than the surrounding environment.
The Wave range goes further, combining sealed air paths, antimicrobial surfaces, and ultra‑fast dry times, reducing the window in which microbes can transfer from damp hands.
Airflow Hygiene and HEPA Filtration
In clinical settings, airflow quality matters. HEPA filtration captures airborne particles down to sub‑micron levels, ensuring the air used for drying the hands is extremely clean. This supports infection‑control and reduces reliance on paper towels that generate waste and require constant handling.
The Mitsubishi Electric Wave models are designed with this in mind, offering HEPA‑filtered, high speed airflow that dramatically outperforms older warm‑air dryers both in hygiene and efficiency.
Compliance With HTM 64/68
Healthcare Technical Memoranda (HTM) 64 and 68 set out requirements for sanitary assemblies and water‑borne infection control. While these documents focus primarily on taps, basins, and drainage, they also emphasise the importance of minimising splash, aerosolisation, and contamination risks.
Modern hand dryers support compliance by:
- Using controlled airflow that avoids excessive turbulence
- Reducing wet‑surface contamination by drying hands quickly
- Eliminating paper towel waste, which can harbour pathogens
- Supporting touch‑free operation to minimise contact points
When integrated into a well‑designed clinical washroom, they align with the hygiene principles underpinning HTM guidance.
Energy Efficiency and Operational Value
Older warm‑air dryers were energy‑hungry, often drawing 2,000W or more. The Wave range uses a fraction of that energy, delivering rapid drying with dramatically lower consumption per cycle. For hospitals and clinics managing tight budgets and sustainability targets, this reduction in kWh per dry translates into meaningful long‑term savings.
Removing paper towels also eliminates waste‑handling, storage, and replenishment — all of which consume staff time and increase infection‑control workload.
Find Out More
Learn more about how Mitsubishi Electric Wave hand dryers can help you improve bathroom hygiene and exceed the standards expected in a modern healthcare environment. Book a demonstration today.
FAQs
Are modern hand dryers hygienic enough for clinical environments?
Yes. HEPA‑filtered dryers with sealed airflow paths meet the hygiene expectations of healthcare settings.
Do hand dryers comply with HTM 64/68?
They support the hygiene principles of HTM guidance when specified as part of a compliant washroom design.
Are dryers more energy‑efficient than older warm‑air models?
Significantly. The Mitsubishi Electric Wave range uses far less energy per dry.
Do dryers reduce infection‑control workload?
Yes, they remove paper towel waste, reduce touchpoints, and support consistent hand‑drying compliance.