Hospitals are complex environments that depend on the seamless coordination of infrastructure, technology, and operations to provide high-quality patient care.
In recent years, modern engineering has played a pivotal role in enhancing hospital efficiency – from optimising energy usage, improving resilience in operational systems, to streamlining workflow for hospital staff.
In recent years, modern engineering has played a pivotal role in enhancing hospital efficiency
Well-thought-out mechanical and electrical engineering solutions have the capacity to not only improve facilities for patients, but can also help to reduce operational cost, increase sustainability, and improve staff productivity.
Energy efficiency: Reducing costs and carbon footprint
Energy efficiency in hospital facilities is essential for reducing operational costs, ensuring reliable power for critical medical services, and reducing carbon footprint.
Hospitals operate 24/7, consuming vast amounts of energy for lighting, heating, cooling, and medical equipment, making efficiency measures crucial for financial and environmental sustainability.
Hospitals operate 24/7, consuming vast amounts of energy
Investing in modern infrastructure and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions can deliver in a number of areas. For example –
- Modern HVAC systems incorporate high-efficiency chillers, heat pumps, and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology, which reduces energy consumption by optimising heating and cooling loads.
- Smart sensors and AI-driven automation enable real-time adjustments, ensuring only necessary areas are heated or cooled.
- Hospitals for instance can see a further improvement in energy usage by implementing LED lighting with occupancy sensors, high-efficiency boilers and chillers, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, and building energy management systems (BEMS) to monitor and optimise energy usage.
Apart from the cost and energy reduction, HVAC systems also enhance indoor air quality and better thermal comfort for both patients and staff – creating healthier spaces for everyone.
Smart power management: Ensuring reliability and resilience
Smart power management systems in hospitals provide critical benefits by ensuring a reliable, efficient, and resilient energy supply for essential medical operations.
These systems optimise energy consumption, reducing costs while maintaining uninterrupted power for life-saving equipment, surgical procedures, and critical care units.
Upgrading older systems improves the overall, long-term resilience of hospital infrastructure and operational systems
But often hospital management has to contend with legacy power systems and a complete overhaul to more modern solutions is not always possible due to budgetary constraints.
However, upgrading older systems improves the overall, long-term resilience of hospital infrastructure and operational systems.
Upgrading legacy power systems requires a phased approach to minimise disruption. This includes integrating smart grid technology and replacing outdated switchgear with modern circuit breakers and transformers.
Improving patient comfort and staff efficiency through engineering
Engineering plays a crucial role in enhancing both patient comfort and staff efficiency in hospitals by designing and optimising healthcare environments for safety, functionality, and ease of use.
Innovation in hospital layout, smart building technologies, and automated systems have resulted in streamlining workflows, reducing staff workload, and improving response times – allowing medical professionals to focus more on patient care.
Improving air quality, for instance, is not just about comfort, it’s also critical for patient care and safety
Improving air quality, for instance, is not just about comfort, it’s also critical for patient care and safety. Engineering innovations such as HEPA filtration, UV-C disinfection in air handling units (AHUs), and advanced ventilation zoning, create healthier spaces by reducing airborne contaminants and preventing cross-contamination.
Other solutions to improve spaces for healthcare facilities could also include thoughtfully designed lighting, acoustics, and ergonomics to contribute to a calming environment for patients while minimising fatigue for healthcare workers.
Case study
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in action: Campbell West’s all-night electrical refurbishment at Ashford Hospital in Surrey
Towards the end of 2024, Campbell West embarked on a major nighttime electrical infrastructure operation at Ashford Hospital in Surrey.
The electrical refurbishment was crucial for maintaining operational resilience and ensuring uninterrupted patient care. Aged electrical infrastructure posed risks of outages and inefficiencies, which could have impacted critical hospital services.
The technical spec of the work involved a strategically planned, full isolation of substation 1 to facilitate the safe integration of a new 4-core 300mm SWA (steel wired armoured) cable supply for the hospital's new elective theatres.
The refurbishment improved power stability, reduced energy wastage, and enhanced compliance with modern electrical safety standards.
Towards the end of 2024, Campbell West embarked on a major nighttime electrical infrastructure operation at Ashford Hospital in Surrey
The upgraded system also supports future expansion and integration of energy-efficient solutions, reducing long-term maintenance costs and improving overall hospital sustainability.
Upgrading the system overnight minimised disruption to daily operations, ensuring hospital departments remained fully functional. And by carefully managing and coordinating multiple trades and maintaining open communication with hospital departments, the work was completed without any disruption to critical hospital services.
The work here was part of the first phase of a larger project for the Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Hospital Trust, which included four brand new operating theatres, the setting up of a new ophthalmology department, and the refurbishment of two wards.
Conclusion
In an era where hospitals face increasing demands for cost-efficiency, sustainability, and patient-centered care, engineering plays a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare facilities.
Innovations in mechanical and electrical engineering are enhancing hospital operations by ensuring reliable power systems, improving air quality, and integrating smart automation to streamline the workflow of healthcare staff.
Innovations in mechanical and electrical engineering are enhancing hospital operations by ensuring reliable power systems
These advancements create safer, more comfortable environments for both patients and staff.
As technology continues to evolve, engineering will remain at the forefront of hospital design and infrastructure, and investing in these solutions is vital for building a stronger, smarter healthcare system for the future.
Top image: Part of Campbell West's Mechanical and Electrical Engineering upgrade at Ashford Hospital