Background
Private hospital operator Healthscope upgraded The Prince of Wales Hospital, located in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, with a new Acute Services Building. The $720 million upgrade, the first in 25 years, enhances the hospital’s capabilities in neurosurgery, cardiac care, orthopaedic surgery, maternity, and physiotherapy. Key facilities include a new Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, helipad, Operating Theatres, Medical Assessment Unit, Inpatient Units, Psychiatric Emergency, and a Central Sterilisation Services Department (CSSD).
Objectives
Ensuring that the CSSD met the stringent Australia/New Zealand Standard 4187:2014 (now AS/NZS 5369:2023) for water quality, crucial for decontaminating and sterilizing reusable medical devices and equipment.
Challenges
A major challenge was that the project demanded a rapid CSSD water solution delivered to meet the stringent deadlines. The tight project timeline required the water treatment system to be designed, manufactured, and delivered within 10 weeks.
Solution
We were engaged by the project hydraulic engineers to design a CSSD water treatment system that met the required standards. Our engineered pre-treatment system included:
- Automatic Water Softener – Reduced calcium to prevent scale buildup.
- Carbon Dechlorination Filter – Removed chlorine to protect the RO membrane.
- EndoTherm Packaged Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant – A cutting-edge technology featuring duty/standby operation, automatic hot water sanitization, raw and permeate water buffer tanks, and comprehensive control functionality. This system was designed to operate the treated water tank and distribution ring main at over 60°C, speeding up wash cycles and improving overall CSSD output.
Outcome
The system was delivered two weeks ahead of the tight 10-week schedule. Following successful installation and commissioning, a comprehensive training program was conducted for Maintenance teams, CSSD operators, and nursing staff. A preventative maintenance program was also implemented to ensure ongoing water quality and quantity, optimize operating costs, and enhance environmental efficiency. This proactive approach maximizes equipment life and minimizes CSSD downtime.
In Summary
The successful delivery of the CSSD water treatment system for the Prince of Wales Hospital’s $720 million upgrade highlights our capability to meet stringent standards and tight deadlines. The advanced water treatment solution enhances the hospital’s efficiency and safety, contributing to better patient outcomes and operational excellence.
Partner with Us for Compliance Excellence
Elevate your compliance journey by partnering with our team. Contact us today to achieve AS5369:2023 standards. Freecall 1800 656 771 or email Matt
Southland Filtration is a leading Australian provider of commercial water filtration solutions. We’ve been helping businesses since 1995 with a focus on quality, custom solutions, and reliable service. We work with businesses and organisations in Australia and New Zealand to address their unique water challenges and maintain the highest standards.