Water is crucial for delivering safe and effective patient care however, the frequency of waterborne diseases is rising annually.
Data shows that 1 in 5 patients (653,000) in NHS hospitals acquire a healthcare associated infection, and 29% (22,800) of these patients will die[1]. Most patients in hospital settings are typically vulnerable to infections like Legionella and Pseudonymous due to their age, existing co-morbidities, and presence of invasive devices.
Digital solutions can transform water management in healthcare environments and improve patient outcomes. Rada’s digital water delivery systems are at the forefront of infection prevention and reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections, which cost the NHS £2.1 billion per year.
Rada’s Intelligent Care solutions reduce the risk of microbial growth as the plastic materials and rubber diaphragms which are a high risk for growth have been removed, reducing the opportunity for outbreaks of water-borne viruses.
To further minimise the risk of dangerous bacteria build-up, all taps within hospital estates are required to be flushed weekly by hand. This is an important, but hugely time and resource intensive process, which is open to human error. Rada’s Intelligent Care Solutions are programmed to duty flush automatically when not used within a week, saving significant staff time, and driving operational efficiencies by minimising opportunities for error and water wastage. This ability to consistently monitor the performance of every tap in the network also means that abnormalities can be identified immediately, and any action taken quickly.
Cross-contamination is also a leading cause of healthcare association infections. In response to this, Rada has removed touchpoints from the handwashing process, meaning the spread of viruses and faecal matter between each use is reduced. This intuitive no-touch control of water flow and temperature also encourages users to comply with hand hygiene procedures, supporting the health and well-being of patients through smart design.
Stuart Skinner, Marketing Manager at Rada, comments: “As the healthcare sector looks to digitise estates and build new, smart hospitals, innovation in water management will be pivotal for enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients and staff by optimising their safety in the fight against infections.”
