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TOMORROW’S CLEANING AUGUST 09
Innovations
Design gets bugs out
DESIGN COUNCIL UNVEILS NEW DESIGNS FOR
HOSPITAL FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT TO
‘DESIGN BUGS OUT.’
With the spread of diseases and infections at an A unique new patient chair which pioneers a us all. Design Bugs Out has demonstrated that
all time high, we simply cannot afford to have system of magnetised, removable cushions a little bit of good design can go a long way
this spread within hospitals too. A hospital is with easy-change laundered covers that make to providing simple, practical solutions based
usually a place where you go to get better, not the chair clean, safe and comfortable. on the real needs of patients and hospital
to get worse.
A self-timing cannula (tube for delivering fluids
staff. While the designers and manufacturers
This is why the Design Council have produced to the patient) with an indicator telling staff
deserve the big plaudits, the NHS also
prototypes of innovative new designs for when the intravenous line needs to be changed.
deserves a pat on the back for recognising
existing hospital furniture and equipment,
design as a midwife for innovation.
A curtain clip – handles for cubicle curtains
aimed at helping the fight against MRSA and
which, through a unique design and magnetic
The Design Council was commissioned to
other Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs).
mechanism, provide an easily sanitised ‘grab-
lead the Design Bugs Out project by the
The prototypes use cutting edge techniques zone’ and also keep the curtains securely closed.
Department of Health as part of its HCAI
to rethink the bedside environment, patient
Technology Innovation Programme. The
A wipeable, polythene-covered blood-pressure
transport and everyday medical equipment,
programme aims to speed up the development
cuff with magnetic closures, instead of hard-
making them much easier to clean.
and adoption of new and novel technologies to
to-clean Velcro fastenings.
help combat HCAIs, especially MRSA and
They are also designed to influence patient and
David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design
C.difficile.
staff behaviour to reduce the likelihood of
Council, said: “MRSA and C.difficile
exposure to HCAIs. The prototypes include:
Health Minister Ann Keen said: “We are
dominate headlines and raise concerns for
determined to create a pioneering NHS in
A ‘21st century commode’ (portable toilet)
which this type of innovative activity can
which is easy to take apart for cleaning, and
flourish, so I am delighted that we have been
which practically eliminates the hard-to-clean
able to work with the Design Council on the
gaps and joins that characterise current designs.
Design Bugs Out programme. Patients rightly
A redesigned porter’s chair which is durable, expect hospitals to be clean, safe and
comfortable, and cleverly uses design to make
comfortable. We know that if things are
it easy to clean while reducing the number of
designed with infection prevention in mind and
obvious user ‘touchpoints’ where infection can
made from modern materials they will be
be spread.
easier to clean. These new designs are good
An ‘intelligent’ mattress which changes colour
news for staff and good news for patients.”
when it becomes compromised by body fluids.
www.designbugsout.org.uk
A patient bedside system comprising bedside
storage and over-bed table which eliminates
hard-to-clean corners, is made of special
durable, scratch-resistant materials, and is
easier for patients to use unaided.
The future of our cleaning industry |TOMORROW’S CLEANING |
73
INNOVATIONS
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