Preparing operating theatres for a return to normal use

Published: 5-May-2020

MAT FM has been awarded a major contract with a leading private healthcare provider to change the HEPA filters in 13 of its theatres while they are not in use during the coronavirus pandemic

MAT FM already holds the 3-year service contract for all sites in the network, maintaining the operating theatres in optimum condition with regular visits and 24/7 support. The additional work will ensure that the theatres, all of which have an ultraclean ventilation (UCV) system, are in peak condition when surgery resumes. MAT FM will complete the H13 and H14 HEPA filter changes in all 13 theatres by the end of June.

HEPA Filters

High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are a key component of an ultraclean operating theatre. It is recommended that they are changed every 3-5 years, depending on use. H13 and H14 filters are the highest efficiency grade HEPA filters available and achieve the best filtration rates. They remove at least 99.995% (H13) and 99.997% (H14) of particles from the air down to at least 0.3 microns in size, in line with the requirements of HTM 03-01. This micron size (0.3) is referred to by scientists as the MPPS, or ‘most penetrating particle size’, because particles of this size evade air filters more than larger or smaller particles.

Coronavirus and the Private Healthcare Sector

In an unprecedented deal, NHS England has block-booked almost all the private hospital sector’s services, facilities and nearly 20,000 clinical staff for the foreseeable future to help cope with the surge of patients. This has secured 8,000 beds and 1,200 more ventilators. The extra capacity is not only to treat coronavirus patients, but also to help the NHS deliver other urgent operations and cancer treatments. However, many of the operating theatres – and there are over 250 theatres and critical care beds in London alone – will not be required and will be temporarily closed.

Preparing operating theatres for a return to normal use

MAT FM

MAT FM offers a range of planned preventative maintenance service and support packages and can also carry out one-off repairs. The nationwide team of engineers ensures a speedy response to all service calls. MAT FM stocks replacement parts for all ultraclean ventilation systems, not just the MAT ECO-flow range. This guarantees minimum downtime and maximum efficiency.


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MAT FM has been busy supporting the NHS with modifications to its critical ventilation systems to create additional COVID-19 care area capacity, in line with the latest guidance from the Specialist Ventilation for Healthcare Society (SVHSoc). Its engineers are now also helping to reinstate, balance and validate those same areas to return them to their original ventilation duty and designed use.

For more information, please contact MAT FM on:

  • email: service@medicalairtechnology.com
  • tel: 0844 871 2100

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