WATER HYGIENE AND SAFETY


resource solutions. For example, if a report shows that most of the activations of a particular TMV are early in the morning or in the early evening, this may give an estates manager a good idea on when to send cleaners in, or to schedule water quality sampling at appropriate times.


Automatic temperature monitoring The automatic temperature monitoring facility not only detects temperatures which could lead to Legionella colonisation, but also those that might pose a scalding risk, or, conversely, a risk of pipes freezing. It will also help users identify under-used outlets or, for example, taps or showers left running. If the personnel flushing outlets on the fourth floor have forgotten to shut off the taps, then LinkThru TMU will detect this. If the hand sanitisation washbasin in an augmented care ward is not in regular use by nursing staff, the system will detect this lack of activation.


The majority of users will want the system set up to alert if there is a problem, and to then send an alarm notification as appropriate. At any juncture users and managers can see how many outlets are being monitored, how many are presenting no risk, a ‘high’, ‘medium’, or ‘low’ risk, temperature or flow-wise, and which are functioning optimally. By clicking on screen where an issue is identified, the user receives a summary of what the issues are. You can, for example, easily bring up a list of all outlets where temperatures or water flows are presenting a potential risk. Equally, individual users can decide whether, in the event of an alert, it only shows if they access the main dashboard, or is emailed to them via their mobile device. In an ideal scenario – where most outlets pose minimal Legionella risk – users may never get an alert, because the water management system is functioning perfectly. A user might want, however, to log in monthly and export a report which will give a summary of all activity for the last month. The range of temperatures can also be illustrated via a colour-coded graph. These are invaluable tools for a busy healthcare estates team. Once the data is recorded, it can be integrated into an organisation’s CAFM or compliance software system, or exported as required. The interface we have developed is designed so that no matter how big the hospital site, and how many buildings you have, the overarching data readings are easily viewable.


Practical operation


How does this cloud-based IoT water management system work in practical terms for a healthcare estates team? The first step is an on-site survey, which will check out the Sigfox signal strength; where required, boosters can be integrated


Easy to install and plenty of detail


“We have started to roll out this technology with tremendous results, and we look forward to installing this system into more client sites,” explains Nigel Fawcett MWMSoc, Support Services manager, Water Safety Division, at Zeta Compliance Services, a risk management and compliance specialist. He adds: “We use LinkThru TMU due to the quality of the information it gives, and the improved efficiencies this leads to, not only to monitor temperatures, but also to show that the water system is being flushed. The ease of installation and level of information this gives to our clients is excellent, while the ability to move the units around to different parts of the water system is also an advantage.”


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In an ideal scenario – where most outlets pose minimal Legionella risk – users may never get an alert, because the water management system is functioning perfectly


into the system. The client organisation then orders the required IoT monitoring hardware, and there is then a monthly subscription fee to access data via the cloud-based LinkThru portal. Users are allocated a password and ‘log in’, with no need to install software on their PC, since all the data readings are held ‘in the cloud’, and accessed via a simple web interface.


During the installation process the engineer fitting the monitoring device needs simply to enter data on the type of outlet, its location building/floor number etc., and its ‘unique ID’, into their phone or PDA. The software then registers all this data, enabling a precise record to be maintained of temperatures and flow ‘events’ at every device. Once this is done, monitoring begins immediately, and, provided no alerts are generated for that particular outlet, there is no need for the engineer to re-visit it.


Of course any new technological solution can only operate to its optimum if users are aware of how best to use it. While our remote monitoring system is intuitive to use, and set up to suit every individual client, applications training according to specific site requirements is a core part of our solution. Once we’ve mutually agreed and set up parameters to meet client needs, these become the default, and no settings will need to be altered – although they are easily editable if and when requirements change. We also offer online ‘How To…’ guides and videos designed to help users install the system and obtain all the benefits entirely self-sufficiently.


Use of the ‘cloud’ ‘becoming mainstream’


IoT water monitoring is a completely new way of thinking for the healthcare sector, so it won’t become universally adopted overnight, but trends indicate that use of the ‘cloud’ is becoming mainstream. According to research by Forbes, cloud- based computing spending has been growing at four and a half times the rate of general IT spending since 2009, and is expected to grow at faster than six times that rate of spending by 2020. With safety, efficiency, cost reduction, and evidencing, all key priorities at the heart of the sector, the benefits of remote water monitoring solutions like LinkThru all indicate that the future of this sector really does lie in the clouds.


References 1 What will new technology mean for the NHS and its patients? Four big technological trends. The King’s Fund, The Nuffield Trust, The Health Foundation, and the Institute for Fiscal Studies, 2018.


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Kevin Belben


Kevin Belben, Technical Applications manager at Cistermiser and Keraflo, has 23 years’ commercial and technical business development experience, including four years spent specialising in providing practical solutions for effective bacteria control in NHS estates applications, tailored to meet specific customer needs.


August 2019 Health Estate Journal 63


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