In this week’s Tech Tuesday, we’re diving into the complex world of hospital headwalls—a crucial component in patient care areas. We spoke with Clovis Van Ness, our ASHE/ICRA Certified, Health Care Construction Certified General Superintendent, to learn more about what goes into planning and installing these essential systems.
Key Considerations:
- Medical Gas Lines:
Headwalls are packed with medical gas lines like oxygen, vacuum, and medical air. When installing or modifying these systems, it’s critical to carefully plan around the existing infrastructure. A single zone valve box can control gases for multiple patient rooms or operating rooms, making it vital to coordinate with the entire facility to minimize disruption. - Shutdown Planning:
Any time a headwall installation requires cutting into gas lines, there’s a need for meticulous planning. Temporary oxygen tanks are often brought in to ensure patient care remains uninterrupted. The entire process, from shutdown to recertification, involves coordination between construction teams, facilities engineering, and patient care staff. - Recertification:
After any modification, the new systems need to be recertified for safety and purity. This process, typically completed within a couple of hours, ensures that the medical gases meet all necessary standards before being put back into use.
Headwalls might seem like just another part of the infrastructure, but their installation and maintenance require a high level of expertise and coordination. With professionals like Clovis Van Ness leading the way, Scott-Long Construction ensures that every project is handled with the precision and care that healthcare environments demand. Stay tuned for more insights in our next Tech Tuesday!
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