HOSPITALS & HEALTHCARE
systems. This offers insight into how products are being used and, if run times are not set, can provide data to inform where further encouragement or awareness is needed, for instance, through signposting or adjustments.
This is another step in enhancing the monitoring, maintaining and promoting of proper practices. Using actionable intelligence to make best practice led adjustments is a valuable and targeted way to ensure hygiene and cleanliness is maintained.
Data-driven enhancements for optimising
infection control The ability to remotely monitor and control digitally connected taps also extends to ensuring they are working at their best and are optimised for infection control.
prevention measure handwashing is however, touchless interaction should really be considered as an option for promoting hygienic facilities in every setting.
Digitally connected taps and water controls compound the benefits of the technology that powers them here. These modern products also offer gesture control so water temperatures can be easily adjusted without needing to touch the tap as well.
“In a healthcare setting, a tap
simply isn’t just a tap. It requires more thoughtful specification if
infection control is to be achieved and, importantly, monitored.”
Precise control over temperature settings is vital for infection control regimes and can also promote best practice by ensuring a great user experience. Water temperatures that are too cold or too warm will play a part in how long someone will wash their hands for.
The levels of precision and control that this technology unlocks includes the functionality for flexible run time settings. Water flow can be programmed to support handwashing protocols for nurses, doctors and surgeons according to the application setting. This control over how long the tap will stay on for can also be used to promote public handwashing guidance, with times set to reflect Public Health England guidance around the best method.
We are increasingly seeing pop-up handwashing facilities installed at visitor entrances and public spaces in hospitals, so optimising these new facilities with taps that actively encourage best practice can play a huge role in maintaining effective infection control measures.
Interestingly, there’s further value added by the ability to integrate digital products with BMS or remote monitoring
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Products can carry out their own infection control regimes like thermal disinfection or duty flushing. Smart products know when and when not to flush, and with some areas of the building being used frequently, this can help save vital resources. It also means that time-intensive tasks can be automated, freeing up staff so they can work elsewhere while still ensuring that water safety standards and guidelines are always being correctly met.
Smart products capture this data and report on their own performance via a connection through Internet of Things technology or BMS integration. It means the full health of valves can be closely monitored, ensuring any anomalies are identified swiftly, and remedial action can be taken immediately. It ensures facilities are always optimised through preventative maintenance.
It also ensures teams have the support they need to manage risks more broadly and achieve peace of mind in knowing that essential hygiene functions and products themselves are operating as they should. All to ensure the space is optimised for hygiene and cleanliness, with staff, patients and visitors safe when they wash their hands.
Handwashing will always be one of the most essential tasks in preventing the spread of infection, so it is vital that estates teams carefully consider all the tools that can support the best possible practise. More than ever, the role that taps play in this must be recognised.
While the Covid-19 outbreak continues to evolve, we’ve already seen a positive and immediate effort across the industry to collaborate and share ideas that can quickly address the critical needs of our healthcare infrastructure and services. Infection control and handwashing have been brought to the forefront of discussions but it’s great news that the products ready to maximise the effectiveness of infection control regimes are already out there.
It’s vital that this dialogue continues across the supply chain and estates, so that we can ensure estates teams and healthcare professionals are always taking advantage of the latest innovations and practices that help keep people safe.
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