How Does Facilities Management Ensure Compliance in Healthcare?

In a healthcare setting, such as a hospital, hospice or care home, proper management of facilities is of extreme importance. With high numbers of vulnerable people in a single setting, ensuring that all processes run smoothly is vital. For this reason, all healthcare facilities must pay close attention to elements such as emergency preparation, infection control, HVAC systems, and so on. With the help of a facilities management firm, like MSL, and the healthcare industry being one of our main industry focuses, you’ll be able to manage these areas seamlessly.

1. Preparation for Emergencies

With so much crucial work being carried out in healthcare facilities on a day-to-day basis, it’s important to be proactive when it comes to dealing with emergencies. Rather than waiting for problems to develop and then acting on them, it’s better to take steps in the beginning to ensure issues are identified and dealt with before an escalation occurs. Facilities management companies can facilitate this with planned maintenance programs. For instance, a power cut could shut down your whole facility, or a piece of machinery breaking down could be critical to patient care. Fortunately, a planned maintenance program will ensure potential problems are minimised from the get-go, meaning your healthcare facility can continue to operate smoothly.

With the help of a planned maintenance program, healthcare facilities can prepare themselves for emergencies through routine checking and testing of equipment such as:

• Alarm systems
• Security systems
• Backup generators

 

As well as ensuring healthcare facilities are prepared for emergencies, with the help of facilities management services, compliance is also ensured. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998) requires businesses to oversee that their equipment is maintained and inspected, so that it’s safe and risks are mitigated. Therefore, a planned maintenance program can ensure compliance with this regulation, by fulfilling that that all emergency equipment remains in good working order.

Facilities management services, like ours at MSL, can provide you with a tailor-made planned maintenance program, to prepare you for various emergency incidents. And in the event that an unforeseen emergency does occur that’s out of your control, no matter the time of day or night, our reactive maintenance service will ensure your healthcare facility is back up and running in no time.

2. Controlling Infections

The COSHH regulation provides a set of actions to be taken against biological agents, either to prevent exposure or control adequately. With this in mind, healthcare facilities are home to both high infection risk, and patients clinically vulnerable to infection, meaning that infection control procedures must be of the highest quality.  Facilities management providers can be instrumental in controlling the spread of infection by:

• Ensuring proper ventilation/pressurisation in critical areas, for example negative pressure in isolation rooms to keep the infection from spreading.
• Establishing and maintaining a water management system that deals with bacteria growth. At MSL, our experts are on hand to help with the control of legionella in your healthcare facility’s water systems. We use a combination of risk assessments, water treatment and bacteria control, tank refurbishment or replacement, as well as provide training to the individual responsible for legionella control in the business.

In the wake of Covid-19, infection prevention is more vital than ever, and with MSL’s facilities management services, we can not only ensure compliance with COSHH but help you keep up with the latest Covid IPCs too. For instance, our first-class hygiene services, will contribute to your infection control measures. A team of professionals will be provided to you, not only to keep your healthcare facility pristine but a safe environment for both
patients and staff too.

3. HVAC Systems

As a place of healing and recovery, healthcare facilities’ air quality becomes even more important than that in commercial offices and shopping centres. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are essential for not only patient comfort and wellbeing but staff too. In acute care facilities, there are certain legal requirements, design implications, and guidance around operation and maintenance for HVAC systems. Though, even in more general healthcare settings, the importance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning should not be underestimated, as:

• Proper ventilation can lead to more productive
• The correct use of positive and negative pressure in ventilation is crucial for infection prevention.
• Good air quality is important for patient wellbeing, as well as room temperature.
• Different wards/areas of the facility may require different temperatures.

Many of the health risks associated with poor air quality can be minimised with the correct air conditioning maintenance and repair. At MSL, we’ll ensure that your facility’s ventilation systems comply with UK regulations regarding HVAC systems, by maintaining them through our planned maintenance program. Our specialist team will clean your HVAC system’s filters and coils to eliminate bacteria, in addition to checking the air conditioning unit is functioning properly. This will not only make breakdowns less likely, but it’ll mean your healthcare facility’s air quality is always safe and comfortable for both patients and staff.

4. Fire Safety

Fire safety is a very important element of any facility, but in particular healthcare settings where it directly impacts the protection of patient health and safety as well as staff. The Regulatory Reform Order 2005 requires a number of measures be taken to safeguard your facility from fire. Following compliance codes and incorporating them into your daily tasks and planned maintenance plan will make inspections more straightforward, keeping you prepared for any issues.

At MSL, we’ll ensure your facility remains compliant with fire safety, as our BAFE credited Safepartner can design, install and maintain all fire safety equipment your healthcare facility needs, such as fire alarm systems and fire extinguishers. In addition, our team will also carry out fire risk assessments, fire door servicing and maintenance, as well as conduct safety training for your staff.

Whilst facilities management in healthcare may seem complicated, it doesn’t have to be. With the help of a facilities management firm like MSL, our compliance maintenance service, will ensure your facility operates in a lawful and safe manner. You can be rest assured that patient and staff wellbeing will be promoted through our detailed, healthcare-tailored compliance checklist.

If you are interested in finding out more about how our services can contribute to helping your healthcare facility, get in touch with us on 0333 1234450.