The men behind successful facility management
If the frontline clinical staff are warriors who fight for patients, supporting staff in the Maintenance Department are then the blacksmiths who forge weapons and offer the best working environment. Tung Yiu-nam, Works Supervisor I, and Ken So, Works Supervisor II, from the Electrical Workshop in the Maintenance Department of Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) talk about the transformation in hospital facility management in the past 30 years. Despite the changes in operation, their professionalism has never changed.
Tung joined CMC in 1976. At first, he worked as a sterilisation operator. Half a year later, he realised his keen interest in electrical and mechanical services. He was later transferred to the Electrical Workshop in the Maintenance Department with the help of a nun. “Back then, I was an apprentice in the department. We only had limited resources. With eight people in the team, we worked as a family to maintain the facilities of the whole hospital,” says Tung. Nowadays, the department has become a team of 40 people. Each has their own specific duties, including all building services and capital works. Joining the team in 2017, Ken started working in the Electrical Workshop with Tung.
From word of mouth to a book of wisdom
In 2017, Tung and Ken joined hands to conduct the periodic inspection, testing and certification for fixed electrical installations for a cycle of every five years. The power supply of the hospital was switched off and the emergency backup power system was activated to ensure smooth operation. “Tung always says that we have to think several steps ahead. Efficient communication is vital for a more comprehensive analysis,” says Ken. Around two to three months prior to the inspection, they had to communicate and coordinate with various departments on inspection procedure as well as maintaining a stable power supply and contingency plan.
“30 years ago, when carrying out daily maintenance and handling emergencies, we relied mostly on ourselves, our past experiences and words of wisdom from our seniors. To be honest, we were uptight with trembling limbs when we were caught up in an emergency!” With a maintenance service manual on his hands, Tung says, “The meanings always get lost by word of mouth. So the hospital had devoted resources to establish a comprehensive management system. This book of wisdom is an invaluable collection of past experiences, guidelines for modern facilities management and contingency plans. It is updated from time to time and is made available for everyone in the department.”
“30 years ago, when carrying out daily maintenance and handling emergencies, we relied mostly on ourselves, our past experiences and words of wisdom from our seniors. To be honest, we were uptight with trembling limbs when we were caught up in an emergency!” With a maintenance service manual on his hands, Tung says, “The meanings always get lost by word of mouth. So the hospital had devoted resources to establish a comprehensive management system. This book of wisdom is an invaluable collection of past experiences, guidelines for modern facilities management and contingency plans. It is updated from time to time and is made available for everyone in the department.”
From maintenance to facility management
In the past 30 years, the role of the Maintenance Department has transformed from merely corrective repair to hospital facility management. The job duties include ordinance compliance and license application, regular inspection, maintenance, assessment of facility life cycle, technology application, energy efficiency management, sustainability and so on. These all are important for modern hospital management.
Tung says, “In the past, some may question that hospital is a place for curing, why do we talk about eco-friendly and sustainability? Hospital is in fact an inseparable part of our society. With the application of energy-efficient technology and facility, not only can we save energy, but also improve the stability of the systems. Wise utilisation of resources creates a win-win situation!”
Regardless of joining the department in different decades, both of them believe that the ultimate goal of the Maintenance Department is to ensure stable hospital services for patient recovery. “We will remain professional and dedicated ever!”
Tung says, “In the past, some may question that hospital is a place for curing, why do we talk about eco-friendly and sustainability? Hospital is in fact an inseparable part of our society. With the application of energy-efficient technology and facility, not only can we save energy, but also improve the stability of the systems. Wise utilisation of resources creates a win-win situation!”
Regardless of joining the department in different decades, both of them believe that the ultimate goal of the Maintenance Department is to ensure stable hospital services for patient recovery. “We will remain professional and dedicated ever!”
