The global commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions has led numerous industries to seek sustainable solutions. For the healthcare sector, says Haigh Customer Service lead, Wendy Andrews, a simple yet significant contribution to this goal lies in an often overlooked corner – the sluice room. In particular, the traditional use of hot water or steam to clean bedpans results in significant energy consumption and environmental impact, plus increasing financial costs. Here she sets out Haigh’s solution.
At Haigh Engineering, a UK-based company with a factory in Herefordshire, we offer an innovative solution to the substantial energy consumption and environmental impact of using hot water or steam to clean bedpans with our Panaway DS bedpan machine. We are known for our commitment to Net Zero goals, and indeed over 50% of our factory’s electrical requirements are met by solar PV, with plans to increase this self-generation level over time. In line with this commitment, Haigh’s bedpan disposers, when compared with hot water washing alternatives, have proven to reduce CO2 emissions and save thousands of pounds of electricity per site each year.
An upgrade in efficiency and sustainability
In the push toward sustainability, it is essential not to overlook the smaller, seemingly insignificant, aspects of our day-to-day operations. In healthcare facilities, one such area that often slips under the radar is the sluice room. A necessary part of any healthcare setting, the sluice room plays a critical role in managing waste, including bedpans, adult nappies, and incontinence pads. Traditionally, the cleaning and disposal processes in this area have relied upon hot water or steam, resulting in considerable energy use, and, in turn, contributing to carbon emissions. However, the shift towards sustainability has brought an innovative solution to the fore – the Panaway DS bedpan machine from Haigh Engineering. This revolutionary machine negates the need for hot water or steam in the cleaning process, resulting in substantial energy savings.One of the system’s key benefits is the drastic reduction in CO2 emissions associated with commode pot and bedpan cleaning. When compared with traditional hot water washing alternatives, the Panaway DS can save thousands of pounds of electricity per site each year. This corresponds to considerable carbon savings – for a bedpan or pot washer used 10 times a day, the reduction in CO2 could be a significant 1,050 kg per annum. This impact is magnified for sites with multiple dirty utility rooms, making it a significant contributor to any healthcare facility’s Net Zero goals.
Safe and efficient waste disposal
However, the benefits of the Panaway DS extend beyond just energy savings. The machine also provides a more efficient and safer means of dealing with waste, particularly in terms of infection control. By using a macerator to dispose of waste, the Panaway DS eliminates the need to reintroduce washed items into a clean environment. This dramatically reduces the risk of cross-contamination, a major concern in any healthcare setting.
Dealing with difficult to-dispose-of items
This is where Haigh’s Incomaster product comes into play. The Incomaster is designed specifically to dispose of adult nappies and incontinence pads. Traditionally, these items – owing to their bulky nature – are difficult to dispose of, and often end up in landfills. The Incomaster changes this. With its ability to macerate these items, the system not only aids efficient disposal, but also significantly reduces the volume of waste heading to landfill. This provides an additional environmental benefit, further supporting the user facility’s move towards Net Zero of, and often end up in landfills. The Incomaster changes this. With its ability to macerate these items, the system not only aids efficient disposal, but also significantly reduces the volume of waste heading to landfill. This provides an additional environmental benefit, further supporting the user facility’s move towards Net Zero
When contemplating waste strategies in healthcare settings, there is often a traditional focus on segregation, bagging, and physical disposal of waste materials. While these methods have undeniable importance in maintaining cleanliness and infection control, an increasingly recognised complementary solution is the disposal of suitable materials directly to drainage. All of us are very familiar with household dishwashers, so the concept of washing re-usable pots, pans, and bottles is natural, and so users of such processes may not consider the potential of a better way. Inside a large organisation, for example an acute NHS setting, there is the infrastructure in place to ensure that the disposal route is available, bringing the environmental and infection control benefits to the site, but in a smaller independent site there may not be the awareness of the different alternatives to hot water washing systems.
Processing waste into fine particles
The use of maceration technology, such as Haigh’s Panaway and Incomaster systems, plays a critical role here. These systems are capable of processing waste materials like medical pulp products, bedpans, and even adult nappies, into fine particles that can safely and efficiently be disposed of into the sewage system. Both the Panaway DS and the Incomaster are notable for their user-friendliness. These machines can be easily retrofitted into a wide range of environments, and require minimal training to use, thanks to their intuitive interfaces. This ease of use reduces the need for extensive staff training, further lowering the costs associated with operating the machines. Haigh’s Education Pack (available on request) addresses any remaining training matters, making the upgrade even more accessible to sites and organisations where there is not the centralised overhead in place to manage this type of process on a day-to-day basis.
A ’unique’ swap out system
The Panaway DS also offers a unique ‘swap out’ system, which allows a faulty machine to be replaced quickly, ensuring that the waste disposal process can be resumed as swiftly as possible. This focus on maximising uptime, coupled with the machines’ reliability, helps to mitigate any potential infection risks that could arise from downtime. In addition, the design of these machines is firmly rooted in the concept that ‘uptime is infection control’. By prioritising equipment reliability, correct usage, suitable maintenance, and the swift resolution of any downtime, the risk of infection is significantly reduced. For sites with immobile or incontinent residents, ensuring that patient waste is handled efficiently and effectively is an important part of making sure that the care environment is both pleasant and safe
By incorporating the Panaway DS and Incomaster machines into their operations, healthcare facilities can make significant strides towards their sustainability goals, while simultaneously enhancing their waste management processes. With most of the NHS now using this type of equipment, the latest developments from Haigh have made the system easier for the elderly care sector to adopt, and this is reflected in the feedback from an increasing number of satisfied customers
From acute wards to private care homes
One such satisfied customer is Sheffcare, a multi-site care home organisation. Both staff and the company’s owners have lauded Haigh’s disposal systems and the company’s latest product developments.
The Panaway DS’s success extends to use in a range of healthcare facilities, with users praising the system’s ease of use and dependability. The process of upgrading a site to use this equipment is no longer a long and complex project requiring substantial time and involvement from specialist installers. In addition to the goal of simplifying the upgrade process, particular effort has been taken in the design of the machine so that users find the interface intuitive. Equally, simplified maintenance processes mean customers can now undertake routine maintenance in-house, reducing the need for expensive specialist technicians
Making the system backwardscompatible has also been prioritised, allowing for a seamless transition from older models, with little or no need for costly sluice room reconfigurations or staff retraining. Estates and facilities managers appreciate the machine’s focus on ensuring sluice room uptime, and its impact on hitting demanding service Level Agreements – crucial for reducing the infection risks associated with waste management
In our continuous journey towards sustainability, Haigh Engineering has launched a service exchange proposition that underscores our commitment to the ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ ethos. Not only does this initiative help combat climate change and promote a circular economy, but it also creates a feasible route for healthcare facilities operating on tight budgets to upgrade their waste management systems. At the heart of the proposition lies Haigh’s strategic approach towards its waste disposal machines. Instead of disposing of old machines, Haigh Engineering sterilises and refurbishes them, giving them a new lease of life. Once refurbished, these machines are offered for sale with a 12-month manufacturer warranty, ensuring that they function just as efficiently as new machines.
Carbon emissions cut
The environmental implications of this service exchange proposition are profound. The refurbishment process mitigates the need for new resources, significantly reducing carbon emissions linked to manufacturing new machines. In this way, Haigh’s initiative goes beyond merely offering a sustainable solution; it becomes an integral part of the drive for sustainability, underscoring the power of the ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ philosophy.
Moreover, by reintroducing these refurbished machines into the market, Haigh Engineering reduces even more waste, that more often than not would otherwise end up in landfill sites. Not only does this minimise the environmental footprint, but it also helps manage the growing problem of electromechanical waste, which often contains materials that can harm the environment.
Helping those with constrained budgets
Economically, this service exchange proposition opens up access to highquality waste disposal solutions for healthcare facilities with constrained budgets. By offering refurbished machines at a more affordable price, Haigh ensures that all facilities, regardless of their financial capacity, can benefit from top-notch, sustainable waste management solutions.
One of the more nuanced benefits of this proposition lies in fostering an increased sense of ownership and responsibility towards environmental sustainability. It provides an opportunity for healthcare sites to actively contribute to the circular economy, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability
Building on customer trust
Furthermore, this proposition not only extends the lifecycle of Haigh’s products, but also amplifies the customer trust in the brand. The 12-month manufacturer warranty assures customers that despite being refurbished, these machines meet Haigh’s stringent quality standards, which have been the cornerstone of the company’s success
Through our service exchange proposition, Haigh is not simply creating a positive environmental impact, but is also setting an example for the industry. By redefining the lifecycle of our products, Haigh underscores the idea that sustainability is not a destination but an ongoing journey – a journey that requires continuous innovation, commitment, and a broad-minded approach towards the concepts of product life and waste. As a testament to the company’s ongoing dedication to environmental sustainability, Haigh’s innovative service exchange proposition stands as a great example of how to adopt and promote circular economy practices. It embodies the saying that what’s good for the environment can also be good for the economy, and sets the bar high for other businesses to emulate
More than just waste disposal
Beyond the direct benefits, Haigh’s bedpan disposers offer additional, harder-to-quantify, contributions towards Net Zero. These include reducing waste to landfill, and avoiding disposal via the clinical waste route. By designing its products for reliability, long lifespan, and straightforward maintenance, Haigh Engineering has successfully reduced the embodied carbon content of its products. With carbon content and operating costs so intertwined, this approach offers significant financial benefits to customers, and has been instrumental in the global success and growth of our waste disposal product range
With its multiple benefits and the backing of customer approval, Haigh’s Panaway DS bedpan machine offers an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly solution to a vital aspect of healthcare. The material and support available to make this change as straightforward as possible have never been so good. As we all aim for a more sustainable future, it is straightforward, achievable improvements across many areas of operation such as this, that chip away, one piece at a time, at the sometimes daunting objective of Net Zero, while improving the working environment for carers and residents alike.
Wendy Andrews
Celebrating a decade with Haigh, Wendy Andrews is – the company says – its ‘invaluable Customer Service lead’. Haigh said: “Heading our customer service relations, Wendy delivers a distinctive service experience that sets Haigh apart from our competitors. Her innovative problem-solving abilities are matched only by her interpersonal skills, making her a customer favourite. Her journey – from her initial steps, to her current leadership role – exemplifies Haigh’s culture of continuous learning and growth. Wendy personifies Haigh’s commitment to exceeding customer expectations, making us as a trusted supplier to our healthcare clients.”