HEALTHCARE VENTILATION
Taking measurements such as differential pressures between rooms (above), or air flow measurements with a balometer (right), will be skills that CP(V) engineers will possess.
Dr Scott Brown
Dr Scott Brown is the managing director and Lead consultant for Health Tech Solutions Ltd, which he established in 2014. He left the NHS in 2021 after over 30 years of working in hospital engineering, and now concentrates on using his expertise in both the human and veterinary sectors, specialising in medical equipment, medical gases, and ventilation. He has specialist experience in developing and delivering tailored training courses to meet client needs. Recently the business has gained CPD Approved status in recognition of the quality approach to its training courses. With a PhD in risk management, Scott was well placed to lead on capital strategic replacement planning in a large acute hospital Trust, introducing a risk-based approach. He now offers his services on a consultancy basis.
will already possess the skills to carry out the work, and that financially the figures offer real opportunities for savings. Bringing this work ‘in house’ also gives the staff better ownership. It is understandable that there may be some reluctance to take this responsibility on, which could ultimately impact on patient safety.
A ‘stepwise’ approach advocated The first step in the process is to confirm that the organisation has an accurate asset register of all the critical systems. This register should be a live document, as hospitals are in a continuous state of flux, with areas being refurbished, new equipment being delivered, and new departments opening or changing use. The register will thus need frequent updating. Do all the systems have the appropriate documentation, including ‘as fitted’ drawings and the original design figures? It is surprising that a significant proportion of critical systems in clinical use have no design figures, and minimal records available. This poses the question of how the system was commissioned and validated. Where this information is not available, attempts should be made to obtain it. If this proves unsuccessful, then the previous verification report is the best data we will have to work from.
Critical systems where access may be easier would be areas such as Pathology and the mortuary, and even isolation rooms may be a good starting point, then moving on to Endoscopy and imaging departments, perhaps before attempting operating theatres (see Figure 1). Endoscopy and many imaging departments will shut down out of normal daytime hours, making access to them much easier. Isolation rooms may well be empty between patients, making access simpler, and potentially available during the normal day. Operating theatres are likely to be more difficult to access, and there is likely to be at least one emergency theatre running 24 x 7, so forward planning is essential. Interestingly, there is no requirement in HTM 03-01 for
116 Health Estate Journal October 2024
CP(V) refresher training, unlike other HTM guidance, such as that related to medical gases. However this might be considered good practice. Refresher training hones the skills and ensures that the CP(V) is kept up to date with current practices and advances in HVAC.
Conclusions In the current financial climate, where there are increasing competing pressures on overburdened NHS budgets, the opportunity to bring in house work activities and services currently being delivered by contractors is now being considered in a variety of areas. This paper has outlined one such opportunity – to bring in-house the requirement under HTM 03-01(2021) for the annual verification of CHV systems. The existing workforce will already have the necessary skillset to carry out this work, and there are significant realisable cost savings, as I have outlined. A phased approach has been proposed to ensure
that staff are comfortable with taking on these new tasks, which are within the remit of a CP(V), supported by their AP and AE. VSGs should provide support to facilitate this approach within their organisations.
References 1 HTM 03-01. Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare premises – Part A: The concept, design, specification, installation and acceptance testing of healthcare ventilation systems. NHSE / NHSI, London, 22 June 2021.
2 HTM 03-01. Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises – Part B: The management, operation, maintenance and routine testing of healthcare ventilation systems. NHSE / NHSI London, 22 June 2021.
3 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. SI 1992 No 3004.
https://tinyurl.com/68uwvvmz
4 Building Regulations 2010. SI 2010 No 2214. https://tinyurl. com/2rts2trb
5 Health Act 2009. Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 2009.
https://tinyurl.com/38yf5nxa
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