Birmingham City Hospital has turned to specialist in commercial showering, washroom controls, fittings, and systems Rada to help target improved efficiencies in infection control after detecting higher than expected C. difficile rates in a former Nightingale ward for the elderly.
The decision to close and refurbish the ward allowed a total re-think in terms of infection control and prevention, improved ergonomics, patient comfort, and privacy. The hospital’s infection control team worked with its capital projects department to put infection control at the top of the agenda for the new ward’s design, which saw 30 Rada Acu non-touch digital thermostatic mixing valves installed, replacing 13 conventional taps. Rada Sense digital mixing valves were chosen for shower areas. While the specific remit was to bring in effective non-touch controlled handwashing and showering facilities, water management and maintenance were also prioritised. Paul Scott of the capital projects team explained: “The estates department wanted a move away from old-style elbow taps because of the labour-intensive aspect of having to flush each manually. With Rada’s T-Logic digital intelligence controlling both the Acu and Sense products, it allows them to operate, communicate, and exchange information with the mixing valves to ensure high degrees of safety, hygiene, and control.”
