HTM verification is of vital importance for hospitals and healthcare premises. At Tecomak Environmental Services, we are leaders in providing expert compliance services. We ensure healthcare providers meet all required standards and give protection to patients.
What Is HTM Verification?
The initials HTM stand for Health Technical Memoranda, which are guidelines from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), designed to ensure best practice. HTM 03-01 is specifically aimed at hospitals and healthcare buildings.
Operating theatres, isolation units, neonatal units, pharmacy aseptic suites and intensive care or critical care units are all covered by the regulations, as well as some containment labs and scanning areas, and other facilities where failure would impact safety.
Why Is HTM Testing So Vital?
Ventilation plant in hospitals and other healthcare buildings is often installed to protect both patients and staff from harmful substances. This means it is essential that the systems perform as required and avoid exposure to contamination. Patients are often likely to be particularly vulnerable to infection because of compromised immune systems, making clean air more essential than ever.
If ventilation systems are not working properly, it could mean greater risk of infections such as legionella, norovirus and superbugs. Specifically in surgical environments, it has been established that there is a link between the quality of the air and the risk of infection.
How Often Is Verification Needed?
Critical ventilation equipment needs to undergo verification at least once a year to make sure it is performing to the required standard and delivering the intended protection. HTM 03-01 also requires that all equipment of this type should be visually inspected quarterly, and on-site maintenance staff can be trained to carry this out. In some cases, full verifications will need to be carried out more often.
What Tests Are Carried Out?
During a visit, engineers will check the whole ventilation system, making sure that it is fit for purpose and operating as intended. This not only includes examining the filters and looking at any problems such as build-up of dust and water, but also checking that the system and whole area have been designed properly and looking for any possible problems.
Issues needing to be checked during an inspection include differential air pressure, air volumes and room air change rates, cleanliness of equipment such as pressure stabilisers and diffusers, effective door closure, fire containment, and the fabric of the surrounding area.
Why Choose Tecomak for HTM Verification?
HTM verification and inspections must be carried out by competent people, who have the required level of expertise. Our engineers at Tecomak meet these requirements, because they undergo NHS-approved training and we also have accreditation from the Health and Safety Executive, permitting us to test and validate all LEV systems.
HTM 03-01 verification requires accurate records and inspection logs, and we ensure compliance with this, providing professional reports and keeping them for at least an 8-year period.
To minimise downtime and ensure that vital medical or research facilities are closed for the shortest possible time, we combine testing with maintenance. Our engineers have both mechanical and electrical expertise, and we aim to correct faults on the spot rather than having to call in other contractors.
As part of our whole range of services to healthcare providers, we install and maintain critical ventilation systems. We also carry out bio-decontamination using iHP® (ionised Hydrogen Peroxide), a highly advanced and quick method.
Tecomak can also install and maintain Phileas® UK airborne decontamination units, which allow easy decontamination of even areas which are hard to reach. Some models in the range are suitable for use in operating theatres.
Download this sheet for more information about HTM inspections
The Importance of HTM 03-01 Verification for MRI and CAT Scan Suites
