The Building Better Healthcare Awards honour excellence and innovation in healthcare, highlighting projects that enhance patient experiences and outcomes. As part of our winner spotlight series, we're featuring exceptional initiatives that expemplify collaboration, creativity, and impact. In this edition, we showcase one of the 2024 winners, AirPurity, and their groundbreaking, patient-focused approach to transforming healthcare and driving progress across the industry.
What motivated you to participate in the Building Better Awards, and how did you anticipate they would benefit your projects?
Our motivation to participate in the Building Better Healthcare Awards stemmed from a deep desire to highlight the work we're doing at AirPurity and its potential impact on healthcare environments. The award represented an opportunity to not only showcase our achievements in protecting peoples air quality and energy efficiency but also to connect with a wider network of like-minded innovators. We anticipated that being recognised would open doors for collaboration, further validation of our technologies, and provide a platform to advocate for cleaner, safer, and more sustainable healthcare settings.
Could you share more about the winning project, including its goals and the key elements involved in bringing it to life?
The project that won the award is centred around reducing healthcare-associated infections through the integration of our advanced environmental control systems. The goal was simple yet profound: to improve the overall indoor air quality within healthcare environments and reduce the transmission of airborne infections. The key elements involved leveraging cutting-edge technology that not only purifies air but also reduces energy consumption. We worked closely with healthcare professionals to ensure the system met their exacting strandards for patient care, safety, and efficiency. The integration of real-time monitoring was a unique aspect that allowed us to demonstrate tangible results in reducing sickness and improving the environment.
What has been the most valuable lesson or insight you gained from working on this project?
The most valuable lesson was understanding the critical importance of collaboration. This project wouldn't have succeeded without the input and expertise of healthcare professionls who deeply understood the daily challenges faced in care environments. Their feedback allowed us to refine our systems, ensuring they addressed real-world problems effectively. Additionally, the importance of sustainability became even clearer—by designing systems that not only improve health outcomes but also reduce energy consumption, we can help build a more sustainable future for healthcare.
What advice would you offer to others in the healthcare industry looking to innovate or improve outcomes?
My advice is to always start with empathy and a clear understanding of the problems you’re trying to solve. Innovation isn’t just about developing new technologies; it’s about understanding the real needs of healthcare professionals and patients. Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo and consider long-term benefits over short-term fixes. Collaboration is key, seek partnerships that can help amplify your impact, and always stay committed to your core mission of improving patient outcomes and safety.
In your view, how have the Building Better Healthcare Awards influenced your projects or your organisation’s direction?
It’s been instrumental in opening new doors for collaborations with healthcare institutions and has reaffirmed our commitment to creating safer, healthier environments. The recognition has also reinforced our focus on sustainability and long-term impact, which will continue to shape the direction of our projects moving forward.
Winning the award has provided a significant boost to our credibility and visibility in the healthcare sector.
Darren Sloof, Chief Executive Officer and Founder - AirPurity
Can you highlight any innovative or unique aspects of your project that set it apart?
What sets our project apart is the deep partnership with East London Foundation Trust ensuring further developments that integrate our system long term while still being able to use real-time monitoring and data analytics. Our system doesn’t just filter the air; it actively tracks and optimises air quality, ensuring it’s always at the healthiest levels for patients and staff. Additionally, the focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, while addressing infection control, makes our solution unique in the healthcare space.
The Building Better Healthcare Awards continue to champion innovation and excellence across the sector. With entries for the 2025 edition opening in March, don't miss your chance to showcase your work - sign up for our newsletter to stay updated and be a part of the conversation.