VENTILATION SYSTEMS
checks provide essential evidence on both condition and performance. Appendices 1 and 2 of HTM 03-01 Part B identify a minimum set of data to be collected annually, or more frequently if required, to reflect any inherent risk associated with older equipment. The checks specified to assemble the minimum dataset relate to specific assets, sub-assets, and rooms, which are characterised by their position in the cleanliness hierarchy. However, that underlying structure is not entirely obvious from the sequencing of the checklists, and those checks are not weighted for risk, so analysis by simple scoring may not represent the operational situation accurately. Also, each verifying engineer has their own individual style of reporting: generally, their reports are extensive (often 20 pages or more), and the underlying unstructured data can be difficult to understand, evaluate, and benchmark. The Invigilatis Seeker Ventilation
A damaged cooling coil: again, is it a case of poor quality maintenance, or end of life?
logbook for each system, which evidences the full operational history, and which – if established correctly – can be a rich source of data for all the designated staff.
Asset lifecycle management Under HTM 03-01, the air-handling unit (AHU) in a ventilation system is expected to have an operational life of 20 years. Currently, it is estimated that a large proportion of NHS theatre ventilation systems are in the latter stages of their lifecycle – in some cases, AHUs may already be operating beyond their expected life. It is also worth noting that as
PFI contracts come to an end, even more ventilation systems will be passed back to the NHS, and it is inevitable that some of them will continue to be used. Wherever assets are reaching, or have passed the end of, their useful life, it is vitally important to maintain full data on these higher-risk assets, even though they might be about to be replaced.
Verification and scrutiny Annual verifications provide a vital source of information about the operation of ventilation systems. Carried out by independent engineers, these annual
Logbook structures verification data, so it can be analysed easily, and presented effectively, for users to have a holistic view of a hospital’s theatre suites and critical systems, along with the historic performance trends. With consistent and well-structured data, the full potential of technology can be exploited, and the annual verification used to confirm system compliance and provide maintenance alerts.
Analytics and presentation By applying analytical rules consistently, the extensive data from series of annual verifications can then be presented clearly, so users have meaningful information. ‘Smarts’ will aid analysis and presentation, and rankings and comparisons will allow trends and context to be established easily and promptly. Considerable efficiencies/ time savings will be achieved from having better information. It is important to note that the annual
ventilation verification information and data is not used exclusively by engineers and Estates teams; it is also relevant to Infection Prevention teams and theatre managers. It is thus concerning to note that a leading surgeon who has considerable experience of ventilation issues – Hilary Humphreys – recently wrote that ‘Infection prevention and control team members (IPCTM) are often intimidated by aspects of ventilation as they relate to healthcare, because they consider them technical and outside their area of comfort and expertise. However, engineers, Estates departments, and planners need IPCTM input to ensure appropriate design and use’.3
With
A dirty plenum with failed vermin screens: once again, is it a case of poor quality maintenance, or end of life?
114 Health Estate Journal October 2022
effective presentation of information derived from verifications, Estates can provide safe systems, Infection Control can minimise risk, and theatre managers can optimise revenue flows.
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