The Facilities Department, what is it?

*Realised this was in the wrong section of the forums originally*

Every hospital of every size has a department like this. While it is already on the wish-list, I thought it might be a good idea to look at how they typically work and what they're for as this aspect of running a hospital fascinates me. This is just how it works where I work and is intended to provide inspiration/guidance should such a department for ancillary staff ever be implemented into this game. Apologies if this is in the wrong section of the forum.

Facilities are typically managed at the hospital level, rather than for example at the ward level. Facilities Management is responsible for the procurement/management of facilities services. Can be responsible for in-house provision of the following services or contracting out with relevant pros and cons.

Domestic Assistant/Janitor
Responsible for the cleaning of patient rooms, wards and departments in order to prevent the spread of infections and to maintain general cleanliness. Domestic staff work in clinical and non-clinical areas, often alongside medical staff. They have a very important role in making sure that all areas are clean and safe places where staff can care for patients. These staff are typically assigned to a department or ward but paid for and managed by the hospital rather than ward. For example, a Domestic/Janitor might be assigned to a specific ward and specific shift, or assigned a certain area/number of rooms. For example, my ward has a domestic assigned to it and based out of a Domestic Service Room (cleaning cupboard) on the ward.

Porter
Responsible for prompt and efficient transporting of a wide variety of items and patients around the hospital site. The delivery of items and supplies is also undertaken and frees up medical colleagues when, for example, transferring patients. Part of the job also involves making sure that wards and departments have supplies of clean linen. Porters collect soiled linen in bags and trolleys to send to the laundry. Some hospitals have a laundry on site, where linen staff use washers and dryers to clean, press and pack the linen. Porters can also be 'pooled' at department level, such as Emergency Departments having porters assigned to them.

Catering Assistant
Assists in all aspects of preparation, service, wash-up and cleaning duties related to the provision of a high quality catering service to patients. Food is taken to departments and wards via a heated trolley system and dispensed to each patient. Can also staff hospital canteens. Food can be part of the treatment, too, for patients on special diets. So food has to be nutritious, inviting and served on time. Hospital staff need to eat as well, so many hospitals have a staff restaurant. Some also have a café where visitors can get hot drinks and snacks.

Maintenance
Essential where machinery is required. In a typical work day, a technician will diagnose faults, repair equipment and general items, do routine planned maintenance and install new equipment. Some specialisations involve gardening.

In addition we have admin staff that operate receptions desks and a plethora of other roles. This list isn't exhaustive but is intended simply to inform and provide a brief overview of how a Facilities department operates in a modern hospital.

A question, is the cleaning of medical instruments, and removal of medical waste also part of these facilities?
I can imagine these things are quite specialized and can form a logistical challenge (in the real world, might be in the game world too? )

TerryRosti wrote:A question, is the cleaning of medical instruments, and removal of medical waste also part of these facilities?
I can imagine these things are quite specialized and can form a logistical challenge (in the real world, might be in the game world too? )

The cleaning of medical instruments is the responsibility of specialised staff, in this game they'd be closer to lab techs than janitors. The removal of medical waste is the responsibility of janitors.

QEUH wrote:TerryRosti wrote:
A question, is the cleaning of medical instruments, and removal of medical waste also part of these facilities?
I can imagine these things are quite specialized and can form a logistical challenge (in the real world, might be in the game world too? Wink )

The cleaning of medical instruments is the responsibility of specialised staff, in this game they'd be closer to lab techs than janitors. The removal of medical waste is the responsibility of janitors.

an SSD could be a small room which could be added to departments like general surgery to solve this??

Upvote!