In order to provide the best possible care for persons in hospitals, care home and assisted living ,it is imperative that the staff providing the care are well looked after as well.
The Royal College of Nursing has recognised the potential for considerable discomfort and circulatory problems in staff who stand or walk for hours on heated floors. “Dead leg” syndrome is often used to describe the feeling of tiredness and aching in the feet and lower legs caused by swelling of the feet due to continuous heating.
As a result, staff performance and efficiency can be compromised, and even days lost to sickness.
Similarly, overhead radiant panels project heat from the ceiling down and often operate at high surface temperatures to overcome the natural tendency of heat to rise. As a result, the projected infra red rays created, when beaming directly on top of the head, can cause discomfort, irritability and in extreme cases, nausea. Overhead radiant panels should be at least 2.7m off the floor, and not located directly over places where persons may be immobile for long periods. This includes work stations, desks, and of course beds. This limits the freedom and flexibility of room layouts, even if the facilities operators remember to consider such an imposition.
The location of EasyClean at ground level also makes any maintenance or repairs straightforward with no need for access platforms or fall arrest equipment to service heating systems in the ceilings.
LST radiators and covers present a considerable hazard in the event of a fall or a trip. Despite often having a rounded top edge, collision onto the side, or a fall onto the top of a sheet steel cover can prove painful or disabling.
The latest RoSPA Hass & LaSS reports into radiator safety highlights that impact trips and falls make up more than 90% of the injuries associated with radiators.