It seems we are living in times in which scarcity of resources dominate our thinking. We have to contend with the scarce economic resources of an emerging economy in the wake of a global recession, competing demands for funding, precious natural resources and a call to provide sustainable development, scarce skills. We all seem to want faster delivery, leaner processes, smaller footprints and more bang for our buck. Very poignant then the question:
- How do we get more for less?
This is the talking point to be addressed at the upcoming biennial SAFHE/ CEASA conference which is set to take place at the OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg from the 6th of April this year. The conference, which is being held for the eighteenth time, attracts wide participation from across South Africa, and beyond. The common goal of delegates is to improve hospital engineering, clinical engineering and healthcare technology – this year with our resource constrained context firmly in view. The conference, hosted at a new venue each time, has a three-track formal presentation programme covering: design, building and maintenance; management, systems and operations; and equipment. The papers – delivered by both public and private sector experts from variety of professional disciplines – never fail to spark lively debate.
The landscape of South African healthcare estate looks set to transform in the near future. With the much anticipated National Health Insurance programme yet to be fully described, the future of healthcare infrastructure and technology is shrouded in mystery. An expert panel speculates on what the impact might be. There will be case studies of contemporary hospital architecture which strives to be environmentally responsible and to provide value for money. A foreign prototypical hospital built on principles of “open” architecture will be discussed. “Open” architecture strives for less waste and ready adaptability and so also enduring relevance. Should we adopt these principles in our future hospitals? Then there will be a report on the assessment of forensic observation units which promises to provide a glimpse into the legislative future of our hospitals. Alternative contracting processes, construction techniques and delivery models will all be explored in the pursuit of the elusive goal of achieving “more for less.”
A futuristic vision of the hospital radiology room will be presented. CT scanning methods have been revolutionised over the past two years. Already available new technology can provide almost real time visualisation of cardiac images and radically reduced scan times. This promises to provide profound benefits for both patient and medical staff. The continually emerging new capabilities and techniques for clinicians owing to the sudden rapid advances in CT technology will be discussed. It is argued that shorter scan times will mean quicker through-put, greater operational efficiency. But at what cost?
With efficiency on the lips, no contemporary discussion on hospital or clinical engineering is complete without enquiring into energy efficiency and the question of how to get it right. Recently light-emitting diode (LED) technology has been introduced into operating theatre lighting which claims to have twin advantages of being a “fit and forget” (aka low maintenance) solution and providing energy efficiency. In addition to exploring these advantages and explaining how LED technology differs from conventional theatre light solutions, we will be shown how inherent problems of monochromatic colour composition of LED’s are solved to bring the lights into service in hospital operating rooms.
Another intriguing operating room technology that will be presented is blood salvage. Blood salvage - that is retrieving and restoring one’s own blood for re-infusion (instead of transfusion of donor’s blood) – is currently an uncommon practice. Yet, this technique may offer a safer, more economical and culturally acceptable alternative to access the scarce and critical resource of blood.
Cultural acceptance, stigmatisation and the challenge of making acceptable healthcare environments safe from airborne contagion will be the topic of two papers on TB infection control. The first, a set of case studies describes a set of engineering and architectural design principles specifically developed for the South African context, though rooted in international best practice method. The second paper is a rapid inventory of the science and research behind technologies which have been demonstrated effective against airborne pathogens as well as a quick look into some promising technologies which might be used in the future in our quest to conquer one of Africa’s most challenging public health threats.
If all the talk is too much, then delegates can take a little time out to enjoy the extensive trade exhibition to see the technologies being discussed: the scanners, the salvage equipment, air disinfection technologies. Here industry professional will have a chance to see what’s new along with the usual dependable industry staples, meet colleagues and share experiences.
