The purpose of hospitals and other healthcare facilities is to get us better when we’re hurt or unwell. But it is an uncomfortable truth that many who visit or work in healthcare environments get ill (or more ill) while they’re there. For patients this can mean their treatment is prolonged or complicated, while staff may be either unable to work, or risk spreading illness if they do.

What’s the cost?

Healthcare-acquired illnesses [HCAIs] exert significant financial and logistical pressure on already stretched resources. In 2016/17, for example, they added an estimated £2.7 billion to NHS expenditure, affected 834,000 patients and represented 21% of hospital bed occupancy across NHS England.^[1]

How are germs spread?

Although the majority of HCAIs are spread through contact transmission (direct contact between people or a between a person and a contaminated surface), it’s estimated that one in four are spread by airborne pathogens. So, keeping the air in healthcare environments clean is vital to patient and employee welfare and the efficient management of those facilities.

How difficult is it to keep air clean?

It’s complicated. Managers of hospital and healthcare facilities are faced with a unique and complex combination of challenges which affect their ability to provide clean air. These include:

• Broad range of healthcare and non-healthcare activities undertaken.
• Varying age and design of building stock.
• Volume and movement of people (many with diseases) on site.

But there are solutions available that effectively overcome these challenges, have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of patients and staff and significantly reduce operational costs.

TEL’s Hospital & Healthcare Solutions

With expertise gained in designing airflow control solutions for laboratories around the world, we understand how to deliver clean air in hospital and healthcare settings without compromising on safety. What’s more, because they offer precision airflow control, our energy efficient solutions can help reduce energy costs too.

Benefits:

• Protect the health and wellbeing of patients and staff.
• Reduce staff absenteeism and bed blocking.
• Ensure integrity of laboratory and cleanroom procedures.
• Reduce energy costs.
• Reduce equipment maintenance and improve asset life.
• Help achieve carbon reduction strategies.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations including BS40102.

Give us a call on +44 (0) 1457 865 635 to find out more.

[1] https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/clean-air-healthy-hospitals-the-potential-to-save-lives-and-nhs-budgets