Reducing risk through ‘not cutting corners’

 In the spotlight in the presentation, part of a seminar entitled “Total water management within healthcare premises” were subjects ranging from how to deal with Legionella, and the dangers and potential costs of misconnection, to how to minimise scalding, especially among vulnerable patients, and the infection risks inherent in hydrotherapy pool use. HEJ editor Jonathan Baillie reports.

Blane Judd, the CIPHE’s chief executive, began his presentation by explaining that the Institute was founded in 1906, and is today recognised as the leading UK professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry. Membership is made up of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, such as consultants, specifiers, designers, public health engineers, lecturers, trainers, trainees, and practitioners. The CIPHE has around 12,000 members, including approximately 260 manufacturers and distributors, which support its work as Industrial Associates. While the majority live in the UK, some 750 are resident in Hong Kong, and a further 300 in over 30 other countries. In Britain there are around 45 active local branches grouped within six areas. Suitably qualified CIPHE members are entered onto either the Register of Plumbers or the Register of Heating Professionals. Registered plumbers are recognised by DEFRA as “Approved Contractor Persons” under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 in England and Wales, and the Water Byelaws (Scotland) 2000. The CIPHE speaker began a wideranging presentation by emphasising the complexities and maintenance challenges of heating and plumbing systems in large public buildings such as hospitals, and the potential pitfalls for the unwary, with a particular caution that “no matter what you do, it’s always the small mistakes that will catch you out”. Arguing that, for instance, much of good plumbing and heating practice was about “a careful balancing act” – for instance as regards keeping hot water temperatures at sufficiently high temperatures to kill Legionella, but not so hot (when dispensed from taps and showers) as to risk scalding vulnerable patients, he firstly highlighted the wealth of different Department of Health guidance available on the topic. Among the most important publications, he explained, were Health Building Note 00-02 – “core elements”, covering “Sanitary spaces”; HTM 64 – “Sanitary assemblies”, 3rd edition; HTM 04-01 Part A, “Water Systems” – the control of Legionella, hygiene, ‘safe’ hot water, cold water and drinking systems – Part A: Design, installation and testing; Part B of the same HTM, covering “Operational Management”, and HTM 07-04, Environment and Sustainability. “Water management and water efficiency – best practice advice for the healthcare sector”.

HBN’s focus on Legionella