All businesses and organisations have faced an array of challenges over the past year. Though the word 'unprecedented' may cause many to roll their eyes by now, the hurdles many businesses faced were of a completely different nature to anything they had dealt with previously.
This is especially true for hospitals and care providers, as well as organisations who have had to carry out COVID testing. Many of Veolia's IFM clients have needed support both of a proactive and reactive nature.
Responding to a new challenge
For many organisations who had to begin carrying out COVID testing, the waste this produced may have been of a completely different type to anything they normally deal with. This was the case for one of the Veolia IFM team's clients, for whom the clinical waste generated by COVID testing was a completely new waste stream. This stream required a separate storage and disposal system from the rest of the site's waste, causing the client to request additional support from Veolia.
We quickly implemented bi-monthly clinical waste collections, along with a storage solution that was able to accommodate the waste from the regular testing of 2,500 people. Namely, we provided additional 1,100 litre bins that ensured both collection efficiency and cost savings. The collection of this waste was introduced in line with the client's current service provision, keeping costs low and minimising the environmental impact of the additional waste.
Anticipating urgent needs
A sector that had to deal with the greatest pressures and challenges was healthcare, with hospitals facing increasing demand for oxygen. One of Veolia's clients, who our IFM team works with to deliver medical gas amongst other services, anticipated a surge in demand for oxygen and required additional support to ensure a reliable oxygen supply at bedsides.
These preparatory measures required engineering support from Veolia's IFM team, which was swiftly provided to ensure operational and efficient oxygen routes at bedsides in the hospital. As a result, there were no issues with or disruption to patients' oxygen supply during the peak of the pandemic, allowing the hospital to focus on their lifesaving work. The planned preventative maintenance undertaken by the on-site IFM team minimised disruption to the vital services the hospital provides when they were needed most.
A service to suit your needs
Even as we move beyond the pandemic, it's crucial to work with an IFM partner who is able to adapt its services when needed, respond quickly to your requirements and help you prepare for the future. A partnership with Veolia's IFM team can help your business remain efficient, safe and sustainable, even when the unexpected happens.
-Further Reading-
What's the difference between hazardous and offensive waste?
Is your waste hazardous or offensive? It's crucial to know the difference, as it's illegal to mix hazardous waste with any other kind. If you are conducting mass Covid-19 testing, it's especially important that you understand how waste is classified, and how each type of waste needs to be disposed of.
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