Why is Air Quality Monitoring Important?

/in /by

Everyone knows that breathing hazardous substances or polluted air is bad for your health. But few seem to realise just how serious air pollution can be, and just how many hazardous substances can linger in the air we breathe.

Hazardous and Toxic Air Pollutants

The air can be full of hazardous and toxic air pollutants that are known or suspected to be harmful to health and the environment.

Examples include:

  • Particulate matter
  • Nitrogen oxides
  • Ammonia
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • Sulphur dioxide

What Causes Hazardous Air Pollutants?

Many of these pollutants are caused by human activity. Particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, for example, are created by road traffic and by certain industrial and agricultural processes. Ammonia is released by the spreading of fertilisers, and by certain waste management processes. VOCs are found in many everyday cleaning and cosmetic products.

The Impact of Pollutants on Human Health

When inhaled, hazardous and toxic air pollutants can affect human health in a number of ways.

Particulate matter, for example, can be so small that, when inhaled, they enter the bloodstream. And once they’re in the bloodstream, they may end up lodged in the heart, lungs, brain, and other organs. So prolonged exposure to particulate matter can aggravate existing conditions, including asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions.  Long-term exposure can lead to more serious, or even terminal, lung conditions.

Inhaling VOCs can also exacerbate allergies, asthma, and respiratory conditions, while causing headaches, nausea, and eyes, nose and throat irritation. VOCs can even react with certain other airborne chemicals to produce formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen.

How Widespread is Air Pollution?

According to the latest World Health organisation report, 99% of the world’s population live in areas where air pollution exceeds their guideline limits.

Air pollution can vary from place to place. We recently assessed the worst parts of the UK for air pollution, for example. The weather can also have an effect on air pollution. For instance, pollution levels may be higher in the colder months of the year.

Indoor Air Pollution

But air pollution can also affect indoor environments. High concentrations of VOCs can lead to “sick building syndrome”, whereby simply existing in a building can lead to a number of health problems.

Certain workplaces also carry unique air pollution risks. One recent report found that 25% of UK hospitals are located in areas with dangerously high levels of air pollution from traffic and industry. But inside hospitals you’ll find numerous potentially hazardous you won’t find in any other workplace, These might include Isoflurane, Sevoflurane, Penthrox, Entonox and inhalable and respirable dust.

This is Why Air Quality Monitoring is Important

Air pollution is all around us, indoors and outdoors. Even short-term exposure can lead to some serious health problems. Long-term exposure could prove fatal.

But many of the pollutants we’ve discussed in this post are colourless, odourless, or so small that they’re invisible to the human eye.

But with air quality monitoring, you can assess the levels of pollutants in your workplace. And once you understand the levels, and what might be causing them, you can act to improve the air quality for everyone.

Learn more about the work of an air quality consultant. You can also read our essential introduction to how the air quality monitoring procedure works.

Specialist Air Quality Monitoring Services For Hospitals and Healthcare

UK law regulates workplace exposure limits (WELs) for numerous substance.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) is a UK law requiring employers to prevent or reduce workers’ exposure to certain hazardous substances. We offer specialist workplace exposure monitoring to help you fulfil your COSHH obligations wherever staff are exposed to hazardous substances in your hospital.

We employ both continuous monitoring and personal sampling techniques to prepare a comprehensive report that includes detailed discussions and actionable recommendations based on our findings.

A hospital grade air purifier can help you quickly and thoroughly improve the air quality in any area of your hospital. We stock a range of hospital-grade Blueair HealthProtectTM air purifiers fitted with advanced HEPASilent technology that can catch 99.97% of harmful or toxic particles down to 0.1 microns.

Want to learn more about how we can help you improve air quality in your workplace? Talk to one of our air quality experts today, or get in touch for a free quote.

 

Chemical Hazards in Hospitals – Examples and Control

/in , /by

Hazardous chemicals are common in healthcare settings. Short- and long-term exposure to these chemicals can pose health risks to staff, patients, visitors, contractors, and other members of the public.

In this post we’ll list some of the common chemical hazards in hospitals, and discuss ways you can prevent or reduce exposure levels in your hospital or healthcare setting.

Common Sources of Hazardous Chemicals in Hospitals

Some of these chemicals are used as part of treatments, either as anaesthetics or as fixatives. Others are used as part of infection prevention and control processes, to sterilise and disinfect surfaces and equipment. Some are by-products of healthcare procedures.

Hazardous Chemicals Used in Patient Treatment

Many of the hazardous chemicals used in patient treatment are used as anaesthetics. Examples include sevoflurane, isoflurane, Penthrox and Entonox. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can be harmful to health.

For example, the symptoms of sevoflurane exposure can include confusion, nausea, breathing difficulties, blurred vision, dizziness, agitation, and loss of consciousness. Prolonged exposure in the long-term can lead to liver problems, heart problems, blood haemorrhages, and asthma.

Hazardous Chemicals Used in Infection Prevention and Control

Cleaning is an essential part of infection prevention and control in hospitals. Yet many of the chemicals used in hospital-grade cleaning substances can be harmful to health. Cleaning products can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Short-term exposure to high concentrations of these chemicals can result in:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Eyes, nose and throat irritation
  • Exacerbation of allergies, asthma, and respiratory conditions

Long-term chronic exposure can increase the risk of liver and kidney damage, and even certain cancers.

Specialist healthcare decontamination procedures can also create harmful chemicals. For example, some disinfectants used in endoscopy departments are based on chlorine-containing compounds. Others are based on peracetic and acetic acid, which can be harmful if inhaled.

Hazardous Chemicals as By-Products of Treatments

The surgical smoke generated by electrosurgical devices can contain acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide, as well as numerous viruses and bacteria. Exposure to surgical smoke has been linked to viral infections, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, and asthma-like symptoms.

Finally, it’s common to find inhalable and respirable dust in the atmosphere of fracture clinic plaster rooms and orthotics departments. While this dust might not be a harmful chemical in itself, it is still classed as a hazardous air pollutant. Inhaling it can lead to short-term and long-term respiratory problems.

Preventing and Reducing Your Staff’s Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) is a UK law requiring employers to prevent or reduce workers’ exposure to certain hazardous substances. The law regulates workplace exposure limits (WELs) for numerous substance.

We offer specialist workplace exposure monitoring for hospitals and other healthcare settings. We’ll help you ensure you fulfil your COSHH obligations wherever your staff are exposed to hazardous substances.

Employing both continuous monitoring and personal sampling techniques, we’ll prepare a comprehensive report that includes detailed discussions and actionable recommendations based on our findings.

Want to learn more about our workplace exposure monitoring services? Talk to one of our air quality experts today, or get in touch for a free quote.

 

What is Bioburden? And How to Control It

/in , /by

What is Bioburden?

Bioburden refers to the number of bacteria or fungal cells living on an unsterilised surface. The term is usually used in reference to medical devices and equipment.

A device’s bioburden level will vary depending on how it was manufactured, including the amount of handling that took place during manufacturing. The size and complexity of the device will also affect its bioburden level, as well as the material it’s made from.

How to Measure Bioburden

We measure bioburden in terms of colony-forming units (CFUs). A CFU is an estimate of the number of viable microorganisms found on a sample.

Average Bioburden Levels

Most medical devices will have a bioburden between 0 and 150 CFUs.

Why Bioburden Matters

As a standard infection control precaution, all hospitals and healthcare settings should effectively sterilise all medical devices and equipment according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.

So if you’re going to sterilise your medical equipment anyway, what’s the point of measuring bioburden?

Because the lower a medical device’s bioburden, the more straightforward it will be to sterilise. If a device has a low CFU, it will be easier to remove any toxins left over from the manufacturing process before you use it.

Also, during the sterilisation process, bacteria cells can release a harmful endotoxin. So a lower CFU ensures that the medical device will be as fast, efficient and – most important of all – safe to sterilise as possible.

How to Control Bioburden

In a hospital and healthcare setting, the biggest difference you can make is in buying from manufacturers who put the measures in place to keep their bioburdens as low as possible.

Here are some of the things medical device manufacturers can do to keep their products’ bioburdens as low as possible:

  • Ensure their cleanrooms are strictly controlled for device manufacturing, with high quality air purifiers to remove harmful contaminants from the air.
  • Commit to thorough cleaning routines, effective PPE use, and other standard infection control precautions. Manufacturers should also have policies and procedures in place to avoid overhandling products during the manufacturing process, and to keep them covered as often as possible.
  • Regularly test all production areas for both surface and air particles to measure the effectiveness of the bioburden control measures, and to make changes where necessary.

How We Can Help You Control Bioburden

We offer comprehensive sterile services cleanroom testing and monitoring services, which includes:

  • Active and passive bioburden sampling.
  • Airborne particulate sampling.
  • Instrument and hard-surface bioburden sampling.
  • Endotoxin testing of washed instruments, sterile instruments, and reverse osmosis (RO) water.
  • Air pressure differential testing – to ensure that your air purification systems are working like they should.

Learn more about our sterile services cleanroom testing and monitoring services, and get a quote for a consultation today.

We also specialise in hospital-grade air purifiers. Our Blueair HealthProtect™ air purifiers are fitted with advanced HEPASilent technology capable of trapping and killing 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns.

Take a look at our range of specialist air purification systems for hospitals and healthcare settings.

 

Air Monitoring Equipment: What Instruments & Equipment is Used?

/in /by

Air quality consultants will use different air monitoring equipment depending on the type of monitoring they’re doing, and the type of pollutants they’re testing for.

In this post we’ll discuss some of the common instruments and equipment air quality consultants use, and explore the settings in which they might use them.

Types of Air Quality Monitoring

There are two main types of air quality monitoring approaches:

  • Continuous real-time monitoring – this is continuous, long-term monitoring of real-time levels.
  • Periodic monitoring – this is short-term monitoring, usually done on a regular basis – such as part of an annual monitoring regime.

The equipment used for these different forms of monitoring varies, which we’ll discuss in more detail in this post.

Continuous Real-Time Air Monitoring Equipment

Some air monitoring equipment is designed for continuous use. Consultants will install a device in a setting for a long-term period, or sometimes permanently. These devices can give air quality consultants an idea of how pollutant levels change over time, so that occupants can better understand their exposure risks.

For this sort of monitoring, air quality consultants will use dedicated systems that will usually make use of pumps to take samples from the air for testing. They might be able to view the results of their testing in real-time, or they might instead generate periodic reports as the situation requires. Different systems are usually used to test for different pollutants.

Some devices can also warn a building’s occupants if things get critical. Common examples include smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. These devices continuously monitor spaces for specific pollutants – whether that’s smoke or carbon monoxide – and sound an alarm if they detect harmful levels.

Periodic Air Monitoring Equipment

Some air monitoring equipment can provide an idea of the air quality in a given area at a given time, or over a specific period. For example, an air quality consultant might place a filter or a cannister in an area for a period of time, such as a day, three days, or a week. At the end of this period they will remove the cannister and analyse the build-up of contaminants.

Other light devices can give a more detailed reading of an area’s air quality at that specific moment in time. These devices contain a sensor and a monitor. Air quality consultants will point the sensor at the target area and receive a readout on their monitor.

These devices are useful for showing how pollutant levels vary throughout a setting. For hospitals, for example, they can demonstrate which areas are particularly at risk, to give an idea of which areas should be prioritised for air purification.

What Will an Air Quality Consultant Test For?

Air quality consultants can test for any hazardous air pollutant. This could include:

  • particulate matter
  • dust
  • carbon dioxide
  • nitrous oxide
  • sulphur dioxide
  • volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
  • noise levels

In a healthcare setting, air quality consultants might test for specific pollutants including:

Book an Air Quality Consultation Today

We offer workplace air quality monitoring services, specialising in healthcare settings. We’ve helped both NHS and private healthcare settings with bespoke air quality monitoring services tailored to suit their unique requirements.

We can monitor your staff’s exposure to any potentially harmful substances in your workplace. This will help you understand your risk levels, so you can devise an air quality solution that works for you.

Find out more about our Workplace Exposure Monitoring Service, or get in touch to talk to one of our air quality monitoring specialists today.

 

What is NO2 and How Does it Impact Health?

/in , /by

NO2 is nitrous dioxide. It’s a chemical compound that’s mainly formed in the combustion of fossil fuels, and during certain industrial processes.

In this post we’ll discuss the health impact of NO2, and explore some ways you can improve the air quality in your hospital or healthcare setting.

What Are The Health Risks of NO2 Exposure?

In the short-term, exposure to NO2 can cause inflammation of the airways. This can increase a person’s susceptibility to respiratory infections and allergens. For patients suffering from lung and heart conditions, exposure to NO2 can make existing symptoms worse.

NO2 can also react with oxygen in the atmosphere to form ozone. Ozone gas can trigger asthma attacks, respiratory conditions, and inflammation of the eyes, nose and throat.

Long-term Exposure to NO2 Risks

Long-term exposure to NO2 can cause edema, a build-up of fluid in the lungs, leading to bronchitis or pneumonia. Exposure to large amounts of NO2 can be fatal.

Where Does NO2 Come From?

Along with PM2.5, PM10 and other harmful pollutants, NO2 is largely the product of road traffic.

But though NO2 is primarily created by external activity, there are still exposure risks even for people who spend the majority of their time indoors. A 2011 study suggested that improvements to building insulation can result in a greater retention of indoor pollutants such as NO2.

NO2 as an Issue for Hospitals and Healthcare Settings

Most hospitals are located near busy roads, and some are situated close to major industrial areas. As a result, one study found that 25% of hospitals are located in areas with dangerously high air pollution levels.

Due to improvements to car engines and certain other measures, atmospheric NO2 levels have fallen significantly both in the long-term and in recent years. Hospitals can further reduce the levels in their local area through enforcing strict onsite traffic calming measures.

But as we’ve seen, even a small amount of exposure to NO2 can carry a serious health risk, particularly for patients with heart and lung conditions. So hospitals and other healthcare settings should act to improve their indoor air quality.

Improving The Air Quality in Hospitals and Healthcare Settings

An air quality consultation can help hospitals identify the exposure risks to harmful and hazardous air pollutants such as NO2 for staff and patients alike. Following the consultation, hospitals will have a better idea of the measures they can take to manage the risks.

A hospital grade air purifier can help you quickly and thoroughly improve the air quality in your hospital or healthcare setting.

Our Blueair HealthProtectTM air purifiers are fitted with advanced HEPASilent technology. This is capable of catching 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns, which includes NO2 gas molecules. Even a small air purifier can completely cycle the air in a room once every 12.5 minutes.

But at the same time, they’ll capture many other hazardous and toxic air pollutants, including particulate matter, microplastics, smoke, dust, and VOCs. And crucially for a hospital, they can also capture and kill 99% of viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

Take a look at our specialist air purification systems for hospitals.

What is the Bioburden Limit for Medical Devices?

/in /by

When we talk about bioburden, we’re talking about the number of bacterial or fungal cells that live on an unsterilised surface. We measure this in terms of colony-forming units (CFU), and a CFU is an estimate of the number of viable organisms found on a sample.

Read our full guide to what bioburden is, and why it matters.

Bioburden Limits for Medical Devices

Most medical devices will have a bioburden between 0 and 150 CFUs.

What Types of Devices Have a Higher Bioburden?

Medical devices with large, flat surfaces will usually have a higher bioburden than smaller devices, as they provide a larger surface area on which microorganisms can live. Also, microorganisms can live for longer on hard surfaces like plastic and metal, than on porous surfaces like fabric.

Beyond the size and complexity of the device, and the material it’s made from, a device’s actual bioburden will depend on how it was made. The manufacturing process can make a huge difference, including the environmental conditions in which it was made, and the amount of handling that took place during its assembly.

Bioburden Testing of Medical Devices

Bioburden testing will detect the presence of a number of microorganisms, including:

  • Aerobic bacteria
  • Anaerobes
  • Spores
  • Aerobic fungi, such as yeasts and moulds

Hospitals and other healthcare settings will sterilise all medical devices according to the manufacturers’ recommendations as a standard infection control precaution.

So hospitals and healthcare settings won’t usually do their own bioburden testing. Rather, most testing is done during the manufacturing process.

What’s a Reasonable Bioburden Limit for Medical Devices?

When purchasing medical equipment, it’s a good idea to choose medical devices with low bioburdens. The CFU count should be as low to zero as possible. You may wish to avoid purchasing any equipment with a CFU in excess of 100, though sometimes this may not be possible.

Some standards may specify the maximum CFU for medical devices in some settings. The higher a device’s bioburden, the harder it will be to sterilise. And some sterilisation processes can release harmful endotoxins.

So using devices with low CFUs limits the chances of contamination. It can also make your operations more efficient, as your sterilisation processes will be relatively straightforward, and considerably safer. And if a medical device has a low CFU, practitioners will find it much easier to remove any contaminants left over from the manufacturing process before use.

Bioburdens Are A Product of The Manufacturing Process

Regular bioburden testing allows medical device manufacturers to ensure that their manufacturing processes are as safe as possible. If bioburden testing returns high CFUs, then device manufacturers can introduce tighter measures to control contamination in their clean rooms:

Expert Cleanroom Testing and Monitoring Services

At Cairn Technology, we offer comprehensive cleanroom testing and monitoring services.

Our services include:

  • Active and passive bioburden sampling.
  • Airborne particulate sampling.
  • Instrument and hard-surface bioburden sampling.
  • Endotoxin testing of washed instruments, sterile instruments, and reverse osmosis (RO) water.
  • Air pressure differential testing – to ensure that your air purification systems are working as effectively as possible.

Learn more about our sterile services cleanroom testing and monitoring services.

Get a quote for a consultation today.

VOCs in Hospitals – Causes, Effects and Solutions

/in , /by

VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. This is a group of thousands of chemicals, many of which are colourless and odourless.

Depending on the setting, at any one time there could be hundreds of individual VOCs in the air. Though some will be innocuous, many carry certain health risks.

Sources of VOCs

Some VOCs are created by biological processes. Certain plants can produce moulds and other spores, for example. But the majority of VOCs in our atmosphere come from everyday products used in domestic, commercial and healthcare settings.

VOCs might be caused by combustion, such as smoking cigarettes, cooking, or burning candles. They’re found in many paints, air fresheners, cosmetics and cleaning products. They’re also produced by certain electronic devices, such as photocopiers and printers.

VOCs and Indoor Air Quality – What Are the Risks?

Concentrations of VOC in the indoor atmosphere can lead to “sick building syndrome”. In short, this means that simply existing in the building can lead to a number of health conditions.

The health risks VOCs pose depend on their concentration – how many of them are in the air, and how often do we breathe this air? Short-term exposure to high concentrations can result in:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Eyes, nose and throat irritation
  • Exacerbation of allergies, asthma, and respiratory conditions

Long-term chronic exposure to VOCs can increase the risk of liver and kidney damage, and even certain cancers.

VOC Levels in Hospitals

VOCs can be particularly prevalent in hospitals and healthcare settings as a by-product of anaesthetic medication and antiseptic solutions. Common VOCs in hospitals include isoflurane, Nitrous Oxide, sevoflurane, chlorine, and formaldehyde.

In one study, more than 40 VOCs were found across six sample sites in a French teaching hospital. The sample sites included a reception hall, a patient room, nursing care, a post-anaesthesia care unit, a parasitology-mycology laboratory, and a flexible endoscope disinfection unit.

Though we’re all at risk to the harmful effects of VOCs, hospitals in particular should work to fight the threat. Both staff and patients will spend long hours, or even days or weeks, in hospital buildings. So if there are any VOCs in the atmosphere, the exposure levels are likely to be high.

Also, many hospital patients have pre-existing heart, lung, and kidney conditions. VOCs could exacerbate their symptoms, or even make their conditions worse.

Ventilation is Key to Managing VOC Concentrations

If you want to address the VOC levels in your hospital, it helps to know the scale of the problem, and the key areas to address. An air quality consultation will help you identify the VOC levels and the exposure risks for staff and patients alike. Following the consultation, you’ll get a detailed report and actionable advice on the measures you can take to reduce VOC concentrations.

A hospital grade air purifier can help you quickly and thoroughly improve the air quality in your hospital or healthcare setting. Our Blueair HealthProtect air purifiers are fitted with advanced HEPASilent technology. This is capable of catching 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns, which includes VOC gases.

Take a look at our specialist air purification systems for hospitals.

 

Occupational Health Hazards for Nurses and How to Prevent Them

/in , , , , , , /by

Hospitals and healthcare settings can be hazardous environments to work in. Nurses face multiple occupational health hazards every day – some obvious, others not so obvious.

In this post we’ll list some common occupational health hazards for nurses, and how to prevent them.

Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards in Hospitals

Slips, trips and falls are an occupational health hazard in most, if not all, working environments. And hospitals and healthcare settings are no exception. The difference is that slips, trips and falls in the healthcare sector can be particularly dangerous.

If nurses slip or trip while carrying delicate medical equipment, sharp instruments, hazardous samples or substances, or even trays of food, then they could cause some serious harm to themselves and others.

There may also be more slipping and tripping hazards in healthcare settings than in other workplaces, including spilled fluids, dropped or discarded gowns, clothing or bedding, and devices and equipment left out of place.

The Solution

Thorough and comprehensive cleaning procedures can ensure that tripping and slipping hazards are addressed before they cause any problems. Fluid management is an important area of focus. Unless spills are cleaned as soon as possible, surfaces can remain slippery for hours.

We stock a range of spill kits to help hospitals address chemical and cytotoxic spills promptly, thoroughly, and effectively.

We also stock absorbent floor mats for better fluid management during procedures. Capable of absorbing up to 8.5 litres of water and 3.5 litres of saline, they gel liquids and become dry to the touch. So they immediately remove slipping hazards in surgical environments. And following the procedure, you can simply dispose of them, allowing for faster cleaning and swifter turnaround times.

Infection & Contamination Hazards for Nurses

Nurses work very closely with both staff and patients, and they regularly provide support during treatments and procedures. So there’s a constant risk of infection from coughs, sneezes, and other bodily fluids. And if nurses become contaminated, there’s the risk they’ll pass on these infections to other, more vulnerable patients.

But these aren’t the only infection and contamination risks in healthcare settings. Nurses must also consider bacteria, viruses and other organisms lingering on clothing and surfaces; VOCs and other chemicals; particulate matter from outside sources; and radiation from certain devices and procedures.

The Solution

Standard infection control precautions can help nurses and other healthcare workers prevent and control infection risks at all levels. Precautions include thorough cleaning protocols and procedures; standards for PPE; good hand hygiene; cough and sneeze etiquette, and more.

Air quality consultations can also help nurses identify the sort of infection and contamination risks they might face, and the measures they can take to overcome them.

Finally, hospital-grade air purifiers can remove many of the common contaminants and harmful substances found in hospital air, including viruses, bacteria, microplastics, VOCs, particulate matter, and more. Our range of air purifiers for the healthcare sector can catch up to 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns.

Heavy Lifting in Healthcare Settings

Heavy lifting is another occupational risk that’s found in almost all healthcare settings. But once again, the risk for nurses can be particularly high. This is due to the sorts of items and objects that nurses might be required to move, from vulnerable patients to expensive and delicate medical devices.

Nurses risk sprains and back injuries whenever they move heavy objects. But if they struggle and falter while moving a vulnerable patient, there’s a risk of concussion, broken bones, or even death.

The Solution

Adequate training in safe lifting techniques can help nurses manage these risks. Hospitals and healthcare settings should also have procedures and protocols in place for moving vulnerable patients. These might include using wheelchairs, stretchers and trolleys wherever possible, and never attempting to move a patient without assistance.

Stress and Exhaustion

There’s no denying that nursing is a tough job. Nurses face life and death situations every day. They work long hours while under considerable pressure, and often for insufficient pay. And as the NHS is currently facing a treatment backlog and a series of strikes and industrial action, it seems like things have never been more difficult for nurses and other healthcare workers.

All of this pressure is going to take its toll. Stress and exhaustion can be harmful in itself. But in the long-term, constant stress and exhaustion can lead to a number of other more serious health conditions.

The Solution

Government plans to tackle the NHS backlog might reduce some of the pressures that nurses face in their roles. But even without the current issues the NHS faces, stress and exhaustion have been occupational hazards in the healthcare sector for years.

The Health Foundation issues a series of recommendations for fixing some of the problems the NHS is currently facing. They suggested that increasing staff numbers could increase hospitals’ capacity, which could mean shorter working hours and reduced workloads for nurses. They also suggested on-the-job mental health and wellbeing support for healthcare staff.

Addressing Occupational Health Hazards for Nurses

From spill kits to infection control services, we offer a range of products and solutions that will help you address many of the occupational health hazards nurses face.

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you make your healthcare setting safer and more efficient for staff and patients alike.

Is Pollution Worse in Winter? How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

/in , /by

A recent report found that over 2,000 UK health centres are located in areas with dangerously high levels of air pollution.

Air pollution can have a severe effect on hospital staff and patients. The risks are particularly high for patients from vulnerable groups, such as children and elderly people, and for patients suffering with respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.

But are these risks any higher in the colder months of the year? Is air pollution worse in winter?

Is Pollution Worse in Winter?

Air pollution levels can change on a daily and regional basis based on a number of factors. Temperature can make a difference to air pollution. Hot air rises but cold air sinks, because it’s denser. And because it’s denser, any gases or particles in the air won’t travel very far. So in the winter, any hazardous air pollutants in the atmosphere can get trapped in the slow moving blanket of cold, dry air at ground level.

Because of the effect of low temperatures, even if pollution levels are lower in the winter than they are in the summer, any pollution will stay in the air for much longer. So even if pollution isn’t necessarily worse in winter, the exposure risks can be much greater.

For a brief introduction to the factors that can affect pollution levels, take a look at our guide to the best and worst areas in the UK for air pollution.

Air Pollution Risks for Hospitals

Every winter, health trusts across the UK are pushed to breaking point as seasonal colds, flus, and other viruses make the rounds. At the same time, up to 20,200 respiratory and cardiovascular hospital admissions each year can be linked to air pollution.

So UK hospitals struggle with a huge influx of patients every winter. Any measures that could free up staff and hospital capacity can make a huge difference in ensuring that the most critical patients can get the help they need, when they need it.

And when it comes to air pollution, there are many measures that hospitals and other healthcare settings can adopt that will make a noticeable impact in the short-term, and a significant impact in the long-term.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Hospitals this Winter

Certain policies can help reduce the air pollution levels on a local level, such as smoking bans and strict onsite speed limits and traffic calming measures.

However, if your hospital’s situated near a major road, or near any construction, industrial, manufacturing or agricultural centres, then onsite air pollution will remain a problem.

So you should instead focus on improving the indoor air quality in your healthcare setting:

Our Blueair HealthProtect™ air purifiers are fitted with advanced HEPASilent technology. They can catch 99.97% of particles down to 0.1 microns, including all hazardous and toxic air pollutants that can cause such a health risk for staff and patients. And crucially for a hospital, they can also capture and kill 99% of viruses and bacteria.

Take a look at our range of specialist air purification systems for hospitals and healthcare settings.

Get Expert Advice

Get in touch with the team at Cairn Technology, who have been developing cutting-edge products and services for hospitals for over 20 years.

Get in touch today

 

The Patient Safety and Infection Prevention Show 2023

/in , , /by

The Patient Safety and Infection Prevention Show will run at the Healthcare Show taking place 26-27 April 2023 at ExCel London.

This is a two-day dedicated conference supporting doctors, nurses, infection prevention and control professionals, and any other healthcare professionals interested in the latest solutions for preventing infections and improving care quality standards.

What To Expect at the Patient Safety and Infection Prevention Show 2023

From practical solutions to a wealth of “how-to” advice, the Patient Safety and Infection Prevention Show 2023 has much to offer anyone looking to improve best-practice techniques in infection prevention and control.

Across the two-day conference, topics discussed will include:

  • Using technology to identify infections in their earliest stages.
  • How a more positive culture can help you transform patient safety.
  • A snapshot of the current state of patient safety and infection control across both the NHS and private healthcare settings.

The Patient Safety and Infection Prevention Show 2023 will also feature:

  • More than 300 exhibitors demonstrating fresh innovations and advanced solutions for improving care quality standards.
  • A range of inspirational keynote sessions from industry leaders.
  • The Primary Care & Integration Hub – featuring practical sessions focused on key challenges concerning workforce, finance, leadership, public engagement, technology, and governance.

Register for the Patient Safety and Infection Prevention Show 2023

The full programme for the Patient Safety and Infection Prevention Show 2023 will likely be announced in early 2023.

In the meantime, you can register to attend as a delegate, or book a stand as an exhibitor.

You can also sign up to the Healthcare Show’s Newsletter to receive updates on talks, exhibitors, and workshops as they’re announced.

Advanced Solutions for Patient Safety and Infection Prevention and Control from Cairn Technology

If you can’t wait until the Patient Safety and Infection Prevention Show 2023 to discuss the latest innovations in infection prevention and control, talk to us.

We can help you achieve best practice in patient safety through delivering top-of-the-line hygiene standards for staff and patients alike.

For more than 20 years, we’ve delivered cutting-edge products and services for hospitals and other healthcare settings. Many of our clients have relied on our products and services for more than 10 years. We’ve provided products and services to NHS hospitals, private hospitals, and independent clinics across the UK.

Here are just some of the advanced services and solutions we can provide:

  • Monitoring services – including workplace exposure monitoring, sterile services cleanroom testing, bio-burden testing, spill kit training, and face fit testing services.
  • Infection control products – including absorbent mats for fluid management and Blueair HealthProtect™ air purification systems.

Head here to browse our complete range of advanced products, services and solutions.

Talk to an Expert Today

If there’s anything you’d like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our experts are always on hand to answer any of your questions concerning patient safety and infection prevention and control, and to provide all the help and support you might need.

Get in touch to talk to a Cairn Technology expert today.