Water is a vital resource for healthcare. It’s at the heart of effective infection control and handwashing, preventing cross-contamination and central to the overall cleanliness of a healthcare space.

However, the frequency of waterborne diseases in hospitals is rising annually, and with mortality rates of up to 80% for immunocompromised patients with Legionnaires disease, the risks are significant.

As well as this, the NHS uses approximately 50 billion cubic litres of water a year – it’s one of the UK’s largest consumers of water. The Delivering a Net zero NHS plan targets water and energy efficiency as key areas for improvement. It also identifies digital innovation and smart hospitals as key to achieving net zero.

Rada’s Intelligent Care digital taps were designed to specifically address these challenges.

It is a wholly original and new design. Every element of the tap has been scrutinised to improve infection control, increase efficiency and better support users.

Infection Control and patient safety at the heart of design:

• water flow and temperature controls are non-touch, reducing the risk of cross infection
• run times can be set to support specific handwashing protocols for nurses, surgeons and patients
• the exterior surface has no joins, removing areas prone to bacterial growth while making cleaning easier
• 95% of materials in contact with water are copper or brass – both have natural resistance to microbes and biofilm formation
• the digital Thermostatic Mixing Valve within the tap simplifies internal mechanisms and no solenoid valve is needed, so water-to-surface contact and opportunities for bacterial growth are minimised

Reducing the demand on precious resources such as water:

• pre-programming of flow rates, temperatures and run times means water consumption is closely managed, minimising unnecessary consumption from over use
• it collects and stores data on usage, providing insights to make water management significantly more efficient
• it records when it was last used so automated hygiene regimes such as duty flushing only happen when needed, saving water and energy

Harnessing digital for smarter estates:

• every tap can be connected to a building management system or operated using Rada's app
• built in monitoring functions allow abnormalities to be immediately identified and remedial action taken, minimising downtime and optimising safety
• through automating compliance processes, normally undertaken manually, it saves time and allows staff to focus on patents care
• automated data logging also makes it easier to complete annual sustainability reporting – mandated by the NHS Standard Contract.

www.radacontrols.com