The NHS introduced new guidelines for personal protective equipment (PPE) in April 2020. They said: “Any clinician working in a hospital, primary care or community care setting within two metres of a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 patient should wear an apron, gloves, surgical mask and eye protection.” The guidelines also stipulated that clinicians should wear […]
Just like any other working environment, working in an operating theatre comes with numerous occupational hazards. However, in an operating theatre, these hazards can mean life or death. Even the smallest accident could seriously jeopardise the patient’s safety. The question of health & safety in operating theatres is a deep one. Organisations such as the […]
According to a recent BBC enquiry, over 90% of NHS trusts report that they have hospitals containing asbestos. Though the NHS claims that their strict regulations ensure that any asbestos in their buildings is safely contained, this should act as a wake-up call. Not just for healthcare settings, but for schools, universities, offices, and other […]
What are the most and least polluted towns and cities in the UK? The World Health Organisation routinely publishes their Ambient Air Quality Database. This lists any areas in the world where fine-particle air pollution levels above 10 micrograms per cubic metre. Breathing polluted air can make certain health conditions worse, and in serious cases […]
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is an integral part of effective infection control in all healthcare settings. We covered the various types of PPE that exist in our guide to infection control in operating theatres. We also explored some of the protocols concerning PPE in our guide to standard infection control precautions. In this post we’ll […]
A High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter can catch harmful pollutants in the air while also trapping and killing bacteria and viruses. As part of an advanced air purification system, a HEPA filter can remove 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns. What are HEPA Filters used for? HEPA filters are an essential infection prevention […]
The NHS Estates and Facilities Conference 2022 is just a matter of days away and we can’t wait to see you there if you are coming along. Aimed at estates and facilities managers, directors and leaders, the event provides policy-led updates based on the current challenges and issues being faced by the sector. Key topics […]
Improving quality and efficiency in operating theatres brings a range of benefits in both the short-term and the long-term: Reduced turnaround time between procedures. Improved patient care and infection control. Happier and more motivated staff. Huge financial savings – The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement estimates that a more productive operating theatre can help […]
An air quality consultant assesses the air quality in hospitals, schools, warehouses, offices, and other indoor environments. Their work will help you ensure that anybody who accesses your premises can breathe cleaner air– whether they’re employees, patients, students or customers. They’ll also help you achieve compliance with certain air quality regulations. What Does an Air […]
Operating theatre teams around the world face fresh challenges every year. In this post we’ll explore some of the current issues in operating theatres, and examine the ways in which operating theatre teams are rising to meet these challenges. Infection Control and Ventilation The pandemic caused severe disruption to all surgical specialties. UK operating theatres […]