Small improvements in sluice room design can cut costs and significantly improve infection prevention and control.
Expert design is critical in an NHS sluice room because it directly influences infection rates, staffing efficiency and the lifespan of equipment and finishes. The sluice room is the focal point where contaminated items – bedpans, urine bottles, clinical waste – are dealt with safely and efficiently.
Every design decision, from the position of the macerator to the specification of the flooring, either helps or hinders the control of pathogens (with an impact on financial costs). A poorly planned layout can lead to cross-contamination and a higher incidence of hospital-acquired infections.
This in turn costs the NHS thousands of pounds per patient episode and extended bed occupancy. Avoiding even a small number of these infections represents a significant financial saving for a trust.
The financial difference between well and badly designed sluice rooms stems not only from avoiding infection-related costs but also from reduced operational expenditure over the lifetime of the asset. High-quality finishes that withstand aggressive cleaning chemicals last longer and need fewer repairs or replacements.
Correctly specified drainage and ventilation reduce the likelihood of damp problems or mould – cutting future remedial works. Energy-efficient medical pulp macerators and bedpan washer disinfectors cut the cost of electricity and water year after year.
In some estates studies, these savings have been shown to offset a higher initial capital cost within a few years of operation – particularly in large acute hospitals where the sluice room is in constant use.
In England, a modelling study estimated that in 2016/17 there were about 653,000 healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in general and teaching hospitals. These infections cost the NHS approximately £2.1 billion, of which 99.8% was attributable to patient management. And that doesn’t count the broader societal costs. Expanding this to all NHS hospitals (including specialist ones) the model estimated 834,000 HCAIs with costs of around £2.7 billion. In March 2025, a UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) report showed that – in 2023 – HCAIs were found in 7.6% of patients surveyed. This study examined data from 121 NHS trusts.
NHS guidance (Health Building Note 00-09, Infection control in the Built Environment) emphasises that the design, planning, construction and maintenance of facility infrastructure has a “substantial bearing on the risk of developing a healthcare-associated infection” and that the environment should assist, not hinder, good practice.
Suppose a large acute hospital handles tens of thousands of inpatient admissions annually. (In 2023, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, reported 101,000 inpatients. And St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, cares for more than one million patients per year.)
If better sluice room design reduces cross-contamination events and lowers HCAI outbreaks by even one or two per cent, a trust might avoid a few dozen preventable infections. Each prevented infection might save (conservatively) £5,000-£20,000 of additional care costs and bed days (depending on severity).
So preventing 50 infections might save £250,000-£1 million annually. If the capital cost of refurbishing and equipping the sluice room very well is £15,000 (more robust finishes, better layout, extra segregation, more efficient equipment), the payback period could be extremely short indeed.
When sluice room practices are fully efficient, they allow clinicians to spend more time with those in their care – instead of being distracted by a plethora of time-consuming auxiliary tasks. They can prioritise patient care….rather than equipment logistics.
Similarly, ward closures due to infection are mitigated, with the pressures of low staffing reduced. When the chaos of HCAI outbreaks is prevented, facilities can maintain their excellent operational standards.
Each element in a well-designed sluice room plays an essential role in protecting patients and clinicians while keeping day-to-day running costs down. Their importance lies not only in their individual functions but also in how they work together to create a clean, logical workflow and an environment that is easy to maintain.
A sluice or hopper provides a dedicated point for the safe disposal of liquid waste, such as urine or vomit, without splashing or backflow. Correct sizing and flushing action reduce the risk of aerosol generation and ensure that contaminants move directly into the drainage system – limiting odour and infection risk.
Modern macerators are becoming increasingly energy/water-efficient at shredding single-use bedpans, urine bottles and other items of medical pulp. Not only do they dramatically reduce opportunities for cross-contamination – they do so far more cost-effectively than their predecessors. New models like DDC’s Flex offer significant energy and water savings.
Flex does so by living up to its name, offering four maceration cycles so you can choose the right option for each load. Every cycle becomes an opportunity to save money, compared with the less efficient ‘one size fits all’ approach of traditional macerators.
A pedal-operated bin prevents the need for hand contact, helping staff to dispose of contaminated waste without breaking hand-hygiene protocol. A tight-fitting lid contains odours and airborne particles.
A large, robust sink is essential for cleaning items that cannot be macerated or put through a bedpan washer disinfector. Stainless steel withstands repeated exposure to disinfectants and high temperatures, while the sink’s depth prevents splashing.
Closed cupboards protects clean supplies (such as gloves, aprons and single-use equipment) from airborne contaminants and separates them from dirty areas.
Continuous, easy-clean worktops provide space for preparing items and segregating clean from dirty equipment. Seamless joints or welded edges prevent dirt traps – making routine disinfection faster and more effective.
Racks and shelves lift items off the floor, protecting them from spills and enabling easy cleaning beneath. Open shelving allows quick visual checks of stock, while proper spacing ensures air circulation to reduce damp and mould growth.
A reliable wall-mounted dispenser encourages frequent handwashing and reduces contamination compared with shared soap bars or bottles.
Dedicated solely to hand hygiene, this basin is separate from cleaning sinks to prevent cross-contamination. A smooth, non-porous finish supports thorough disinfection.
Single-use paper towels are recommended by NHS infection-control guidance as the most hygienic method of hand drying, avoiding the aerosolisation risks of warm-air dryers.
A separate hands-free bin for non-clinical waste maintains hygiene and supports good segregation of refuse streams, as required by NHS waste policy.
A certified fire-resistant door contains smoke and flames – protecting adjacent wards and corridors. It also helps to control odour and noise when closed, contributing to patient comfort and dignity.
Slip-resistant vinyl or similar continuous flooring with coved edges prevents fluid ingress and allows thorough mopping and disinfection, eliminating crevices where microbes could grow.
Smooth, impervious wall finishes resist damage from harsh cleaning agents and withstand frequent wiping, ensuring the room can be fully decontaminated.
Mechanical ventilation removes airborne contaminants, moisture and odours, reducing the risk of mould and improving air changes to meet NHS infection-control standards.
Bright, shadow-free illumination supports accurate cleaning and visual inspection, helping staff to detect spills or residues quickly. Energy-efficient LED fittings reduce running costs, maintenance and the hospital’s carbon footprint.
Together these features create a controlled environment where dirty tasks are clearly separated from clean processes, where surfaces are easy to disinfect, and where staff can work safely and efficiently. The combination is what allows a sluice room to meet the rigorous infection-prevention standards of the NHS while remaining cost-effective to operate over many years.
The design and layout of a sluice room is as critical as the quality of the macerator (or bedpan washer disinfector) and the stainless steel furniture you specify. Get it right and it will be much easier to dispose of waste hygienically. Get it wrong and you risk mixing ‘dirty’ and ‘clean’ areas – increasing the risk of spreading HCAIs.
Any clinician who enters a sluice room – as well as any utensils that need to be reused – should exit the area clean. To help with this, equipment should be grouped into dirty and clean workstations, with a clear flow that prevents cross-contamination.
The NHS Standard Infection Control Procedures (SICP) specify that waste should be disposed of as close to the point of care as possible. The actual location of the sluice room within the facility should minimise travel distances for staff from patient areas. This will reduce the risk of spillage and associated contamination, as well as enhancing efficiency for clinicians.
The procedures also recommend a series of habits for hand hygiene, with emphasis on cleaning one’s hands after exposure to bodily fluids. A well-planned sluice room will provide the correct hand-cleaning facilities to ensure that bacteria isn’t carried back to the ward.
One of the main advantages of a Managed Service is its ability to help hospitals control their budgets more effectively. With healthcare budgets under increasing pressure, investing in new equipment outright can significantly impact cash flow.
A Managed Equipment Service allows hospitals to access the latest technology through a tailored, cost-effective payment plan. This approach not only delivers access to innovative healthcare equipment and tangible cost efficiencies but also enhances staff productivity and patient care.
Key benefits: