All patients are at risk from infection in hospitals and healthcare settings. But the risks are particularly high for burns patients. High Infection Risk in Burns Patients This is for three reasons: Burns patients invariably spend an extended period in the hospital. The longer any patient’s hospitalisation, the more frequently they’ll face common sources of […]
A recent report found that more than 40,600 people were likely infected with Covid-19 while being treated in hospital in England for another reason. What can hospitals do to protect their inpatients from infection? In this post we’ll explore some of the measures hospitals can adopt to stop the spread of Covid, and other viruses. […]
The World Health Organisation (WHO) advises a maximum concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) of 10μg/m3 for the annual average. Fine particulate matter is a hazardous air pollutant. So when concentrations exceed the WHO’s recommended limits, it represents a major public health concern. 25% of Hospitals in Dangerously High Levels of Air Pollution Areas Unfortunately, […]
The 2022 Healthcare Estates Conference and Exhibition takes place 4 to 5 October at Manchester Central, Manchester, UK. This is the UK’s largest event for healthcare estates, engineers, and facility management professionals. It’s the only national conference and exhibition that brings together the people who design, build, manage and maintain hospitals and healthcare settings. As […]
Asthma and Lung UK recently tested air quality levels at GP surgeries and health centres across the UK. Their report, Toxic Air at the Door of the NHS, revealed that more than 2,000 UK health centres are located in areas where the levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceed World Health Organisation limits. The World […]
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) is a UK law requiring employers in all industries to prevent or reduce workers’ exposure to certain hazardous substances. The law regulates workplace exposure limits (WELs) for around 500 hazardous substances. These are legal limits of exposure, measured in concentrations of the hazardous substances in the air (usually […]
Penthrox and Entonox are both used for pain management in healthcare – particularly in trauma or emergency settings. In this post we’ll examine the benefits and risks of each. What is Penthrox? Penthrox is a disposable inhaler containing a drug called methoxyflurane. When you pour this drug into the device, a gauze inside soaks it […]
The chemical element chlorine has been used for years in sanitation, disinfection, and antisepsis. What is Chlorine Used For? In the form of hypochlorous acid, chlorine is used to kill bacteria in water treatment plants and public swimming pools. Chlorine is also a major element of disinfectants and bleach, so it can be found in […]
A 2018 report revealed that thousands of UK health centres are located in areas with unsafe levels of air pollution. The World Health Organisation recommends certain limits on the concentration of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere. This report found that over 2,000 UK health centres are located in areas where the concentration of fine […]
Good air ventilation is an integral part of effective infection control in operating theatres. But while it’s important to keep the air circulated, it’s equally important to ensure the air is at the optimum temperature and humidity. Why is Temperature and Humidity Important in an Operating Theatre? For temperature and humidity levels to be right, […]