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N Farrington

Publications and source records attributed to N Farrington.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

The road to a greener hospital.

The healthcare industry has as its major objective, the improvement of the health of the population. With this in mind it is a complete contradiction for hospitals to pollute the environment or unnecessarily consume resources. As part of the implementation of an environmental management system, we analysed the different environmental impacts the National Maternity Hospital has on the environment. In particular, we quantified the consumption of energy, water and wastes produced. RESULTS: Reduction of negative environmental impacts and cost savings can easily be achieved. Energy consumption can decrease by 20%, water consumption by 15%. Proper waste segregation requires continuous staff training and can result in reductions of up to 40% of healthcare risk waste. CONCLUSIOS: common sense, policies and procedures applied result in reductions of environmental impacts. Environmental management systems do not manage themselves and require dedicated staff to be successful. Hospital are obliged morally and legislatively to minimise environmental impacts by ensuring efficient use of resources.

Conservation of Energy Resources↗
PubMed2000

Altering the NICU and measuring infants' responses.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to measure the impact of a designated Quiet period on the NICU environment and its influence on the infants' physiological and movement responses. The study group comprised 10 preterm infants on assisted ventilation (mean gestational age 28.7 wk (range 24-32 wk), mean birthweight 1,322 g (range 600-2,060 g), mean age 5.2 d). The environment in which the infants were nursed was altered in terms of reduced light, noise, staff activity and infant handling. The infants' heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and movement responses were recorded during this Quiet period and compared with a period of Normal activity. When the Quiet period was compared with the Normal period (median values), the NICU environment had significantly altered in terms of Light: Quiet period 3.0 Lux, Normal period 254.5 Lux (p < 0.01); Noise: Quiet period 54.0 dB, Normal period 58.0 dB (p < 0.01); Alarm events: Quiet period 491.5 sec, Normal period 1,180.5 sec (p < 0.01); Staff conversation: Quiet period 16.0 occasions per hour, Normal period 60.0 occasions per hour (p < 0.01); Staff activity: Quiet period 25.5 occasions per hour, Normal period 59.0 occasions per hour (p <0.01); Infant handling: Quiet period 0.0 events per hour, Normal period 4.5 events per hour (p < 0.01). Infants' diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure: median reduction of 2 mmHg for both during the Quiet period (p < 0.05). Infants' movements: Quiet period 14.5 movements per hour, Normal period 84.0 movements per hour (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates that Quiet periods are feasible for infants undergoing neonatal intensive care. The NICU environment was altered significantly for light, noise, infant handling and staff activity for a specified time period. These changes were associated with a reduced median diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure and a decrease in infant movements.

Blood Pressure↗