data helps improve performance
Sampling data at five minute intervals ensures that excessive
monitoring cells which read the sub-meter to
consumption can be identified almost in real time and action
which they are electronically linked and trans-
taken before valuable utilities are lost. Sudden changes in
mit this back to a centralised control desk
which analyses and collates the incoming
consumption patterns reported by the monitoring system
data streams.
often indicate technical problems which can be resolved
This was the approach taken back in 2006
before they threaten the efficient working of the hospital.
when Bob Jones evaluated the options and rec-
ommended the installation of an Optimal
Monitoring facility. Using sensors which track
the usage recorded at each of those meters,
this system interrogates that data at intervals
as short as five minutes.
Monitoring in near real-time
Being able to extract information with that fine
resolution allows a far more accurate picture
of consumption to be built up than would be
possible with hourly or even 30 minute read-
ings. By sampling data so frequently, exces-
sive consumption can be identified almost in
real time and action taken before valuable
utilities are lost.
Sudden changes in consumption patterns
often indicate technical problems which can
be resolved before they threaten the efficient
working of the hospital.
No less important, use of the utility moni-
toring system is building up a comprehensive
base of data on energy consumption and us-
age patterns; both essential characteristics as
the Trust plans its next phase of development.
Bob Jones again: “We cannot improve perform-
ance unless we have the data. The accurate
information being gathered will ensure that
While the Property Services Manager speaks whatever heating technology is adopted will
enthusiastically about departmental meter- be entirely fit for purpose.”
ing, there has to be a mechanism to make this There is little difference between logging
possible. Sub-metering is obviously the starting flow through a water meter, tracking the air
point; a network of ‘private’ meters tracks each temperature within hospital zones and moni-
utility as it is drawn off into a cost centre. toring conditions in even more temperature
critical parts of the hospital.
Monitoring consumption data
Being able to collate and analyse that
Applications beyond utility monitoring
consumption is a different matter. At its most In the case of the Lister, the holding area for
basic level, it could involve the expense of medical gases is monitored using the same
meter-readers peering deep into recesses in system, with any deviations from the approved
the hospital infrastructure for their data. temperature range being fed back over the
Given some of the locations where the sub- communications network for the appropriate
Above and page 45: The Lister meters have to be positioned to track depart- alarms to be generated.
Hospital, Stevenage. mental consumption, that is quite an important The ability of Optimal Monitoring to handle
Opposite and page 46: Queen consideration. rather more than water and energy consump-
Elizabeth II Hospital, Welwyn Rather more practicable as a method of cap- tion had already drawn the Estates Depart-
Garden City turing usage statistics is a network of remote ment’s attention to the system. “It means that
48
The Informed Executive
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