It is undeniably one of the most important issues of this century: how do we make our way of life more sustainable for present and future generations? Sustainability is also an important topic in healthcare. The Weber Hospital Systems VDS (Validated Disinfection System) automates and validates the cleaning and disinfection of hospital beds with steam cleaning and precision robots, without chemicals or added physical strain placed on the employees. This way we keep an eye on the future, for people as well as the environment.
At the United Nations climate summit COP26, a group of fifty countries pledged at the end of 2021 to take concrete steps to develop climate-proof care systems. Fourteen countries aim to be climate-neutral by 2050. However, hospitals that use traditional bed washing machines to clean and disinfect beds often consume considerable amounts of energy and water for these processes. In addition, the machines are labour-intensive and chemicals are needed.
The VDS proves that there is another way. This innovative system for validated cleaning and disinfection of hospital beds uses precision robots and steam. The cleaning process is highly efficient and consumes a minimum amount of energy, steam and compressed air. The water consumption is reduced from an average of 50 litres per cleaning cycle to 6 litres, while the energy consumption decreases from an average of 9 kWh per cycle to 4 kWh. This means that CO² emissions are reduced by at least 35% compared with other machines.
The VDS does not use chemicals or other chemical additives. Not only are chemicals harmful to humans and the environment, but micro-organisms are also becoming increasingly resistant to chemicals.
Sustainable care also includes attention to healthy living and working environments for staff and patients. Hospitals are careful when it comes to their employees, especially with the current staff shortages. The VDS is designed with the ergonomics of the employees in mind. Due to the ergonomic design, the VDS can be operated by one person. In the case of traditional washing machines, the mattress often has to be lifted off the bed, but in the washing cabin for the VDS, a mattress is automatically lifted off the bed and cleaned, disinfected and dried all the way around. This reduces the physical burden on employees to zero.
At Weber Hospital Systems, we have a clear goal in mind: we want to improve the health of patients by ensuring the highest standard of hygiene in a sustainable manner.
The VDS reduces the carbon footprint, without further adding chemicals and with an eye for the ergonomics when it comes to employees. Would you like to know more about our innovative solutions? We will be happy to advise you.
