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Reducing nitrous oxide emissions from anaesthesia
Gas control specialist, BPR Medical, and Medclair, a leading Sweden-based specialist in safe nitrous oxide use, have agreed to share technology and product information to help the NHS achieve its aim of reducing nitrous oxide emissions by 75 per cent, part of the service’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent within the next 7-11 years, and achieve ‘Net Zero’ by 2040. Anaesthetic gases used in surgery and for pain relief have a high carbon footprint. BPR Medical explained: “Nitrous oxide – used by 50-75 per cent of women in labour, and widely in other hospital departments in the UK – has a global warming potential 298 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2
). According to the
Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service report, published in October 2020, the capture and destruction of the gas could reduce NHS anaesthetic emissions by over a third, and save an estimated 90 kilotonnes of CO2
equivalent (ktC02 e)
annually if implemented by 132 NHS Trusts.”
The report refers to nitrous oxide destruction technology supplied by Medclair, which has been deployed
Wayfinding ‘app’ could save patient and staff time
routinely in Sweden for the past 16 years. The aim of the collaboration between BPR Medical – manufacturer of the Ultraflow demand valve, which includes the option of a gas scavenging system, and Medclair – which specialises in safe nitrous oxide management, is to extend the use of systems to capture and destroy the gas to prevent environmental emissions. The Central Destruction Unit (pictured) can destroy nitrous oxide from many different rooms. It is used in settings where gas evacuating pipelines are present, like delivery rooms on maternity wards.
A turnkey MGPS service offered
BeaconMedæs offers a comprehensive total turnkey medical gas pipeline service – ‘a time and cost-effective option that streamlines delivery of the MGPS for new build facilities or as part of a hospital upgrade’.
It was recently employed ‘to great effect’ at the 116-bed NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter, as part of the team that got the COVID hospital up and running very quickly and in challenging circumstances.
The turnkey service begins with an onsite survey for its team to get a thorough understanding of the site before design work begins, for precise
material planning and pricing. This may include an evaluation of current provision and compliance status, development of isometric and plan drawings, and gathering of detailed measurements. BeaconMedæs offers expert advice on the design of a new or upgraded MGPS, and provides up-to-date ‘As Fitted’ drawings. BIM modelling means planning considers specific obstructions, building details, and different viewpoints, for the optimal indication of suitability and positioning of products.
All MGPS equipment is manufactured specifically for the client at its centrally located UK factory, and CE marked to the Medical Devices Directive. For installation, a dedicated project manager produces the scope of works and risk assessments for approval by the hospital AP (MGPS) or project manager, monitoring progress throughout. All MGPS installations are tested prior to handover to the hospital for a final check and purity test to HTM 02-01 standards. For maintenance and service, BeaconMedæs has a large field service force, and a ‘24/7’ emergency callout service. Bespoke PPM contracts are also available.
12 Health Estate Journal July 2021
Creator of navigation solutions, BuzzStreets, and London’s Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, have announced the launch of what they claim is a ‘unique’ indoor wayfinder ‘app’ for hospitals. The new app is part of the CW Innovation programme – a joint initiative between Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and its charity, CW+ – to ‘test and scale’ innovations and digital systems that improve patient care and experience. Following a successful trial, the system now allows visitors to Chelsea & Westminster Hospital to navigate their way from outside to a specific location, ‘whether a bed on a ward, a consulting room, the café, or the pharmacy’. The app includes ‘Points of Interest’ such as offices and cafeterias, and information on the Trust’s collection of over 2,000 works of art and digital installations. It uses a system of BLE beacons, Wi-Fi signals, and the Earth’s magnetic field, to pinpoint the user’s location, giving both spoken and visual real-time directions. On arrival at the hospital, the user opens the app and keys in the required destination location. As they progress, the app constantly updates, showing them where they are, with regular voice and visual updates to show them where and when to turn, go straight on, or change floors. It also lets the user know when they have reached their destination. The system is reportedly accurate to 1-2 metres.
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