RECENT FEATURE ARTICLES
Don’t ignore the risks from Cryptococcus
An Authorising Engineer for specialist ventilation and water quality discusses the threats to health, and especially to immunocompromised patients, posed by Cryptococcus, a fungus he believes is not especially well understood in healthcare engineering circles- Feature
Managing the ‘ups and downs’ of compliance
Eur.Ing David Cooper, MD of UK-based independent lift consultants, LECS (UK), considers what he dubs ‘the heavy load of documentation, legal obligations, and standards to be reached at the varying stages in the lifecycle’ of a lift within the healthcare setting, and ‘when to ease the headache with independent engineering advice’.- Feature
Debating the challenges, discussing best practice
Healthcare Facilities Management 2019, a one-day event being held on 12 June in Solihull combining a topical conference with a wide-ranging exhibition, will cover topics ranging from cleaning standards and transport/ car parking in healthcare facilities, to managing food waste, fire safety, and security.- Feature
Making the best choice with chillers and boilers
A specialist in the hire and sale of chillers and boiler hire, and the provision of smaller temporary HVAC units, considers some of the key challenges posed by the F-Gas Regulation, and highlights the importance of forward planning when considering the mobilisation of chillers and boilers in healthcare settings.- Feature
A different approach to Legionella testing
With its Pseudalert rapid microbiology technology for P. aeruginosa in water supplies now well-established in healthcare, IDEXX Water is now working hard to promote what it says is a ‘highly accurate, sensitive, and specific’ test to identify levels of Legionella pneumophila, with definitive results in just seven days.- Feature
Trainer celebrates 94 per cent pass rate on new wiring standard
Develop Training is celebrating after electricians on its courses achieved a 94 per cent pass rate against the latest national wiring standard.- Feature
Keep your emergency lighting in good health
When it comes to emergency incidents, hospitals and healthcare facilities often provide a safe haven for those in need of critical care. However, such premises are not immune to their own crises, and need to have adequate, well maintained and suitable emergency lighting in place at all times.- Feature
A creative approach to problem-solving
Corby-based Creative Ironmongery specialises in ‘designing and creating problem-solving products that save money and deliver exceptional performance, even in the most challenging environments’. It claims to be ‘revolutionising standards in architectural ironmongery’.- Feature
Safeguarding patients, simplifying maintenance
When specifying products for healthcare facilities there are a wide range of factors to consider – from eliminating water wastage and cutting utility costs, to reducing maintenance and managing infection control.- Feature
Regular maintenance and monitoring are both vital
A British commercial boiler manufacturer looks at the key considerations for designing ‘safe, reliable, and efficient’ hot water systems for healthcare facilities, and at minimising the major risk factors for the growth and proliferation of harmful waterborne bacteria within them.- Feature
Power no longer need be a fixed cost commodity
With the NHS facing pressure to cut costs and improve efficiency, the head of Healthcare Business Development at Centrica Business Solutions examines ‘how innovative energy systems could drive change and make a lasting difference’.- Feature
Tailor-made facility for PMLD patients
Westwood Care and Support Group has completed the internal refurbishment and reconfiguration of two buildings on the former Huntercombe mental healthcare site at Market Weighton, providing purpose-designed units – one for residential, and one for respite care – for patients with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and complex physical needs. HEJ reports.- Feature
Contributing to a positive, healthy care environment
Sharron Kapellar, National Framework manager at Forbo Flooring Systems, discusses what she dubs ‘the change in healthcare design’, and explains how well-considered flooring specifications, and the optimal flooring selection, can contribute to a healing environment.- Feature
Risk matrix methodology has ‘fundamental flaw’
Dr Melvyn Langford, who worked for nearly four decades in the NHS, including as an estates and facilities manager, discusses – using mathematical computations – the factors that have long convinced him that there is ‘a fundamental flaw’ within the ‘5x5 risk matrix’ used to establish the relative urgency of backlog maintenance in NHS healthcare facilities.- Feature
AEs should be expert and impartial advisers
Authorising Engineers (AEs) have a key role to play in ensuring the safe, efficient management and operation of key plant, equipment, and systems in a range of engineering disciplines in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, in accordance with key HTM and other guidance, and legislation.- Feature
Award validates hospital’s sustainability programme
Clare Tattersall, editor of the CHES magazine, Canadian Healthcare Facilities, examines the wide-ranging measures that staff at the Markham Stouffville Hospital in Markham, Ontario, have taken to raise the healthcare facility’s environmental performance and sustainability credentials since it opened nearly three decades ago.- Feature
Crocodiles, culture, and international diversity
Darryl Pitcher, who took over as the IFHE’s President from Douwe Kiestra at the event, reports on a highly successful 25th IFHE Congress held in Brisbane last October, where, in addition to the human attendees, the venue – Brisbane City Hall – also welcomed a variety of Australia’s wildlife.- Feature
New models of care driving future estate
An associate partner and strategist in the health planning team at construction, property, and management consultancy, Rider Levett Bucknall, considers a changing NHS estate, with expectations that, in future, more outpatient care will be delivered closer to patients’ homes.- Feature
A ‘holistic approach’ to system management
A look at the critical role played by microbiological water testing in improving patient safety, and some key maintenance priorities for estates team to keep healthcare water systems running safely and hygienically.- Feature
Sensors help optimise use of space in the workplace
New workplace management and occupancy technology is helping organisations in other sectors make large savings on their real estate while also improving the employee and visitor experience, says Raj Krishnamurthy, CEO of agile working solutions provider, Workplace Fabric, who here explores the opportunities for such technologies in healthcare.- Feature
