FEATURE ARTICLES

IHEEM is emphasising the importance of its activities that support the design, construction, maintenance and operation of healthcare buildings. This article conveys messages that the Institute is delivering to Government and senior executives in the health sector.

Is short-term thinking still preventing UK hospitals from procuring surgical facilities that could offer greater flexibility and improved patient outcomes over time? Modular theatre supplier Maquet thinks so.

Jason Rayfield reports from the Seventh Annual Infection Control Nurses Association Conference, where education, surveillance and the threat posed by emerging bacterial strains were high on the discussion agenda.

Advice for facilities managers considering the removal of ligature points to reduce the risk of patient suicide and self-harm is provided by Laidlaw Solutions.

To help reduce the large number of accidents and MRSA infections that arise in the NHS annually, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has launched a training course for all healthcare staff. Health Estate Journal reports

The clinical consequences of pulse oximeter sensor error are discussed by Dr Geoff Mathews BSc (Hons) PhD, managing director of The Electrode Company.

The airwaves bring Nicholas Marshall thoughts on the direction that design of healthcare premises should be taking.

Is short-term thinking still preventing UK hospitals from procuring surgical facilities that could offer greater flexibility and improved patient outcomes over time? Modular theatre supplier Maquet thinks so.

Gary Sowerby Eur.Ing. C.Eng. M.E.I., who runs JGS Associates and is the author of the Process Steam Guide, provides an in-depth analysis of steam distribution system problems and solutions.

IHEEM’s Healthcare Estates Conference, held at Harrogate in November 2005, clearly underlined how architects, designers, constructors, engineers, and estate and facility managers need to work cohesively to ensure healthcare premises are fully safe and fit for function – both now and in the long term. Nicholas Marshall and Jason Rayfield report.

The role of robotic sample processing in the modernisation of pathology services at Manchester Royal Infirmary is described by Peter Jones, centralised in vitro diagnostics market manager at Roche Diagnostics. Stemming from the modernisation are valuable pointers for managers of facilities and designers of healthcare premises.

Angela Vessey, director of the Copper Development Association, describes how the natural properties of copper and copper alloys can play a significant role in cross-infection avoidance.

Dr David Moon, head of procurement for the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), outlines how materials with higher recycled content can be economically sustainable, technically viable and easily available for construction projects in the healthcare sector.

Healthcare Estates Conference and Exhibition 2005 will take place on 1 and 2 November at the Harrogate International Centre and will be the biggest and most comprehensive to date

Paul McDermott PhD, specialist inspector working in the Health & Safety Executive’s Biological Agents Unit, provides an insight into HSE’s approach to inspection and enforcement in the control of Legionella bacteria.

Richard Hawkins FRICS FCIArb, director of Knowles Healthcare, considers the basic concept of a design and construct procurement strategy.

The intricacies of the provision and control of air conditioning in hospitals have been debated for decades. For this Health Estate Journal ‘Then and now’ feature, Mike Arrowsmith BSc (Hons) CEng FIMechE FIHEEM, technical editor, provides commentary on an article which was published in The Hospital Engineer, the journal of the Institution of Hospital Engineers, in July 1960. The text of this article, which was based on a paper read before the Glasgow Branch of the Institution, follows that of the commentary.

Set against a backdrop of medical industry competitiveness and growth, the forthcoming MEDICA event will present ample opportunities for international exchange of ideas on a range of healthcare technology issues, says Horst Giesen, project leader, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH.

Attention-grabbing is a new campaign designed to provide assistance in the fight against healthcare acquired infections caused by MRSA. Health Estate Journal reports on the campaign, which is titled ‘Wipe It Out’ and is being run by the Royal College of Nursing and Kimberly-Clark.

The challenges of introducing sustainable development principles to procurement within the UK healthcare sector are examined by Harry Waugh of Scottish Healthcare Supplies. The text of this article is an abridged version of a paper presented at the 18th Congress of the International Federation of Hospital Engineering held in Orlando, Florida, USA in July.