Keeping Hospital Drains Healthy

Blocked drains in hospitals are a major cause for concern, and entire wards can be closed if drainage issues get out of hand. Wards are shut more frequently than you might imagine, and here at Lanes we recently submitted a Freedom of Information request to 122 NHS England hospital trusts to see just how much trouble drains are causing.

Out of 122 trusts, 94 responded. The figures were revealing and, since 2012, 9% of hospitals have had services interrupted and wards closed due to drainage issues, some of which were reoccurring. A cause for further worry appeared when we discovered that even theatres were forced to close because of blocked drains.

With hospital buildings around the country ageing, drains are becoming more susceptible to blockages. Whether you’re a nurse, surgeon or part of the hospital’s kitchen staff, it’s important for staff to take an active role in reducing these blockages. There are many things everyone, hospital-wide, can do to help tackle drainage problems – take a look at how you can help below.

Understanding your hospital’s drainage system

As hospitals develop, it is not unusual for drainage plans to be left incomplete. To be able to identify drainage problems quickly and effectively, mapping the entire drainage system is essential. This way, blockages, ground contamination and seepage can be spotted and fixed before the damage gets out of control

Once mapping is complete, hospitals will be able to identify connections, water flows, system capacities and asset condition.

Monitoring hospital kitchens

When it comes to hospital kitchens, similar rules apply to what you should and should not put down your own kitchen sink.

One of the biggest culprits for blockages and drainage issues revolves around fats, oils and grease (also known as FOGs). Used in much bigger quantities in hospital kitchens, FOGs play a major role in blocking drains. To tackle the issue, kitchen staff should remove excess oil or fat into the bin, then pat whatever is left in the pan away with a paper towel. It’s also important to remember that even hot oil can block drains as it cools and then solidifies inside pipes.

Waste food can also create drainage issues for hospitals. Even the smallest crumbs can contribute to blockages and it is essential plates are scraped thoroughly before washing.

Blockages in bathrooms

Taking time to train staff and educate patients and visitors about what can and cannot be disposed of down hospital toilets is an effective way to prevent drainage problems in the future.

Hospital bathrooms tend to see wet wipes and paper towels more than the average bathroom. They’re an absolute necessity, but they should be disposed of correctly. We have an entire guide about the issues wipes can cause, you can read more about it here.

Plasters, bandages, sanitary towels and cotton swabs should also be placed directly into the bin to avoid serious drainage issues. If your bins aren’t big enough, increase bin capacity to stop items from being incorrectly flushed away.

Disposing of medical waste

Very few chemicals are safe to be placed into drains, and these exist as specialised cleaning products. It’s important for medical staff to never wash away unwanted medicines down the sink as it can cause major issues in the future. Even if a 10ml vial has been opened and a few drops remain after use, it’s vital to make sure the vial is disposed of correctly. Washing away the last millilitre or so can still have a damaging effect.

Time is precious in our busy hospitals, so let’s make sure we don’t waste any due to blocked drains and careless flushing. If you wish to know more about maintaining hospital drainage, please get in touch with our team at Lanes for Drains.

Looking for more advice

For more information on how to maintain your hospitals drains call 0800 526 488 or download our healthcare leaflet now.