Over the past few years medical air and vacuum have seen a number of significant innovations. The major benefit to the estates and facilities manager has been to open up new avenues for reducing energy costs.

Last month’s HEJ featured an article, the second in our new series of guidance pieces aimed principally at Technician-level engineers, highlighting some of the key steps that boiler operators can take to maximise system performance and efficiency, and thus reduce running both costs and carbon footprint.

Mick Compton, Authorised Person (Sterilizers), gives an insight into the history and role of an AP(S) and reports on a two day discussion forum at W&H Sterilization in Pedrengo, Italy.

NHS Trust boards face challenging targets for cutting carbon emissions from new and existing facilities. Spirax Sarco’s Murdo Macdonald looks at the help available and some of the latest examples of good practice in steam systems for hospital heating and hot water.

Healthcare facilities are generally commissioned according to standards laid down by specific stipulations or the consultant engineers. This commissioning process is normally only concerned with the physical functioning of the building services and is aimed at ensuring the installed services are operating according to the engineers’ specifications. It is no longer acceptable just to conduct a thorough clean, commonly called a hospital clean, and consider that as adequate for patient occupation, writes Kevin Moon.

“Are engineers the new architects?” was the title of a paper presented by Ian Hurst of Buro Happold at last year’s Healthcare Estates Conference. The presentation proved to be slightly controversial, being described in this journal as “provocative”. Ian Hurst says that was not his intention and elaborates on his theme.

One of the most important materials in the modern healthcare environment, stainless steel is poised for an impressive future. Martin Tye, managing director of GEC Anderson – manufacturer of bespoke stainless steel solutions and a long-standing supplier to the health sector – looks at the outlook for stainless steel and offers advice on its specification and use.

In the annual NHS staff survey run by the Healthcare Commission, personnel report that they are less stressed, suffer fewer work-related injuries and see fewer potentially harmful errors, but the results also highlight the levels of violence and abuse that they endure.

As an increasing number of Trusts secure Foundation status, the importance of achieving excellence in estate management is further heightened. Report by Thomas Howard, a commercial property expert and member of the health team at law firm Browne Jacobson.

Landscape and urban design practice Colour: Urban Design Limited (UDL) is playing a major role in two major healthcare projects.

Dr Sue Hignett Ph.D and Jun Lu M.Arch B.Eng of the Healthcare Ergonomics and Patient Safety research Unit (HEPSU), Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University, discuss the development and application of an important testing system designed to ensure sufficient space is provided around hospital beds for staff to undertake basic tasks such as washing and dressing of patients.

Just over a year after publication of the Department of Health’s initial ‘Safety First’ report on patient safety, Patricia Young, design specialist, Built Environment, at the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), says while good progress is being made to reduce the number and severity of patient incidents, there remains considerable scope for further improvement.

Nick Heane, UK managing director of water dispenser manufacturer and supplier Tana Water UK, argues that, by using special water dispensers that treat water with UV light immediately before dispense, hospitals and other facilities can potentially significantly reduce healthcare-acquired infection rates.

With ever higher patient expectations and increasing competition in healthcare services provision transforming the NHS landscape, the key priorities for estates managers in moving services forward in the next year and beyond were the common theme for three top Trust speakers at the recent 2008 HEFMA (The Health Estates & Facilities Management Association) national conference. Health Estate Journal reports.

Accurate, appropriate air-handling unit selection can increase energy savings and reduce carbon footprints, says Joe Wieckowski, general sales manager, Colman Moducel.

Jörg Höhne, country manager, Germany, at integrated clinical engineering, medical IT and telemedicine services specialist TBS DE Telematic and Biomedical Services, examines the benefits and potential pitfalls of outsourcing the maintenance and repair of key medical equipment.

Laura Bayliss, lighting designer with BDP Lighting, questions the quantitative approach to lighting for healthcare – and makes the case for creative lighting design. This article was originally published in the Institution of Lighting Engineers’ The Lighting Journal in summer 2005, after winning the ILE-sponsored “Best Written Paper” in the 2005 Young Lighters Awards.

Jason Rayfield explores the implications of the increasing use of private sector funding, risk management, competition principles and expertise for NHS healthcare delivery.

Toks Adeniji, chief executive of lighting manufacturer Ardent Products, explains how to use the latest mood lighting to create an optimum healing and working environment.

Improving the environment in a hospital ward can cut the recovery time for non-operative patients by 14-21%.

Attention-grabbing is a new campaign designed to provide assistance in the fight against healthcare acquired infections caused by MRSA. Health Estate Journal reports on the campaign, which is titled ‘Wipe It Out’ and is being run by the Royal College of Nursing and Kimberly-Clark.