Dirty utility rooms—where bedpans are emptied, instruments are rinsed, and waste is often stored—are critical areas in healthcare facilities. Yet they can pose significant infection control challenges if the pipework and plumbing are exposed or difficult to clean. That’s where Trovex’s Hygipod IPS (Integrated Plumbing System) comes in. As seen in these before-and-after photos, Hygipod IPS dramatically improves both functionality and appearance while helping to maintain the highest possible levels of hygiene.
The before: Exposed and hard-to-clean
It's evident that traditional dirty utility setups can leave a tangle of exposed pipework, cisterns, and fixtures. This arrangement often creates multiple edges, joints, and gaps that are time-consuming to clean thoroughly. Infections can spread more easily when bacteria have places to hide or accumulate on rough or irregular surfaces.
Key issues:
- Exposed pipework: Increases the risk of microbial harbouring and makes rigorous cleaning challenging.
- Multiple ledges and joints: Dirt and moisture can collect, impeding thorough disinfection.
- Cluttered appearance: Contributes to a perception (and sometimes a reality) of poor hygiene and can reduce staff efficiency.
The transformation: Hygienic, seamless, and efficient
Compare the previous layout to the Hygipod IPS. Notice how the system fully encloses what used to be exposed. By concealing pipework and providing smooth surfaces, Hygipod IPS delivers a more streamlined space that is far easier to clean and maintain.
Key advantages:
Modular prefabricated concealment
- Smooth surfaces with minimal joins mean there are fewer cracks and crevices for bacteria to hide.
- Hidden cisterns and pipework reduce contact points, simplifying thorough cleaning.
- Modular design supports quick and efficient installation, minimising disruption in busy healthcare environments.
Improved aesthetics & professional appearance
- The modern, sleek finish projects a sense of cleanliness and order, essential for any healthcare environment.
- Staff confidence and patient perception are boosted when facilities look well-maintained and organised.
Easy maintenance & access
- Hygipod IPS features access panels that allow quick servicing of plumbing and utilities.
- Maintenance teams spend less time lifting off heavy panels and can reach the necessary components more rapidly.
Robust materials for longevity
- Hygipod IPS is designed to withstand the rigorous cleaning protocols found in dirty utility spaces. Constructed from Hygiboard, a hybrid PVC and marine-ply composition, it combines the waterproofing benefits of PVC with the strength and durability of marine-ply.
- Durable surfaces resist stains, impact damage, and chemical cleaners, ensuring long-term performance.
Compliance with infection control guidelines
- By limiting exposed surfaces and facilitating better cleaning, Hygipod IPS helps healthcare facilities meet infection control standards, including those outlined in HTM 63 and HTM 64.
- The system’s hygienic design contributes to safer workflows and cleaner environments, improving compliance and overall healthcare quality.
One hygienic finish
Hygipod IPS is part of Trovex’s commitment to its core philosophy of "One Hygienic Finish." This ensures a consistent and hygienic aesthetic across all Trovex products, including Hygidoor and wall cladding solutions. By providing a unified approach to design and infection prevention, Trovex helps healthcare professionals achieve high standards in both functionality and appearance.
Cleaner, safer, and more efficient workflows
When staff can clean and disinfect thoroughly and quickly, they can maintain better infection control standards. The transformation shown in the before-and-after photos highlights how Hygipod IPS solves many of the pain points in dirty utility design:
- Shortened cleaning times: Smooth, sealed surfaces cut down on labour-intensive scrubbing.
- Reduced infection risks: With fewer nooks and crannies for germs to hide, the entire environment is more hygienic.
- Streamlined aesthetics: A well-organised space supports healthcare professionals’ efficiency and confidence.
Transform dirty utility rooms
Hygipod IPS is more than just a product—it’s part of Trovex’s mission to deliver smarter, safer, and more hygienic healthcare environments. By incorporating the "One Hygienic Finish" philosophy, Trovex ensures that healthcare facilities benefit from products that are not only functional and durable but also seamlessly integrated into a unified design approach. With reduced exposed surfaces, fewer bacterial hot spots, and easier maintenance access, you can use Hygipod IPS to transform dirty utility rooms into safer, smarter, and more hygienic spaces.
Do you have a project we can help with?