WATER SYSTEM HYGIENE AND SAFETY
Arguing the case for TMVs in healthcare
There is no question that there are different schools of thought when it comes to the installation of thermostatic valves in hospitals. Here, Tony Rheinberg, senior sector marketing manager from Armitage Shanks, ‘sets the record straight’, and puts the case for their use in healthcare environments.
This is the same amount of time that it takes to sing the song ‘Happy Birthday’ twice.
Infection control in hospitals costs the UK taxpayer more than £1 billion every year.1 With the pressures on NHS budgets continuing to increase, it is vital that manufacturers play their part in delivering budget efficiencies. Thorough handwashing has always been one of the simplest, yet most cost-effective methods of minimising the spread of infection, and its importance cannot be overstated. According to The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), people should wash their hands for 20 seconds to effectively eliminate the presence of germs and bacteria.2
Despite the significance of handwashing being taught from an early age, the RPS still estimates that around 85 per cent of British people aren’t washing their hands for long enough.2
In fact, some studies
have suggested that the average person only washes their hands for around six seconds. It’s a worrying statistic, especially as in environments where there are people with lowered immune systems such as hospitals, effective handwashing can mean the difference between life and death.
Creating comfortable, safe environments
One key area of debate when it comes to efficient handwashing is the installation of thermostatic valves. Although they provide a much-needed method to aid safe handwashing, there is no question that there are different schools of thought when it comes to installing them throughout hospitals. At Armitage Shanks, we’ve been working with our partners and stakeholders across healthcare environments to help confront the key arguments against using thermostatic technology in all areas. We believe that our latest developments in this area present a number of additional benefits, which far outweigh the downsides for end-users.
TMV3 thermostatic valves are installed in the majority of UK healthcare settings where vulnerable patients are found, and
the amount of time it takes to wash your hands eff ectively, or sing Happy Birthday twice*
how long people, on average, wash their hands for*
of taxpayers’ money is spent on infection control in hospitals every year*
patients are likely to contract an infection in hospitals in England*
Water temperature circulates at 55oC in hospitals to kill bacteria, even in staff areas. This is high enough to scald users*
MARKWIK 21+ is over 85%
To protect against infection MARKWIK 21+ has innovative features that minimise the presence of bacteria
brass (a naturally anti-microbial material)
MARKWIK 21+ has been made to have 52% fewer waterways than its predecessor which means less static water
Thermostatically controlled taps and mixers ensure consistent and controlled water temperature at point of delivery.
make use of an internal cartridge which mixes hot and cold water at the point of discharge. This results in a safe, continuous, and comfortable temperature for staff, patients, and visitors.
Risk of bacteria proliferating Although the temperature of the water coming out of a thermostatic tap is safe in terms of scalding, it can present a viable environment for bacteria to proliferate, which means regular maintenance processes need to be employed to stop the risk of infection. With healthcare budgets under constant scrutiny, one of the most common concerns is that such taps are too expensive to maintain in line with current regulations. However, recent changes to testing guidelines mean that the process is much more straightforward than it used to be. The HTM 04-01: Safe
‘‘
water in healthcare premises guidance, which is used as best practice in the healthcare sector, promotes the testing of thermostats every 28 weeks, and then once a year after three consecutive ‘passes’. Recent changes to HTM 04-01 mean that the regular testing procedure is far simpler and faster; it should only take around 2-3 minutes to check that a thermostatic tap is working properly.
Promoting more effective handwashing
Knowing that thermostatic valves are easier and quicker to maintain should provide some reassurance, but this is not where their benefits end. It is proven that there are a number of factors influencing people’s handwashing routines, especially in a healthcare environment. These can include the placement, accessibility, look,
Despite the significance of handwashing being taught from an early age, the RPS still estimates that around 85 percent of British people aren’t washing their hands for long enough
October 2018 Health Estate Journal 107
Sources: NHS UK, Carl Borchgrevink Journal of Environmental Health, Elise Maynard & Associates LLP, NICE and NHS England
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