2023 Conference Program

43rd Annual Conference of the
Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society
Rejuvenating Healthcare Infrastructure
September 17-19, 2023
RBC Convention Centre • Winnipeg Manitoba

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2023
0800-1600	The Great CHES Golf Game
1830-2030	Opening Reception – Sponsored by Class 1 Inc. Canadian Museum for Human Rights Reception Entertainment: The Luminous Quartet – Sponsored by Precise Parklink
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2023
0700-0830	Breakfast – Sponsored by IEM Industrial Mfg. (Canada) Inc.
0830-0845	Opening Ceremonies
0845-0930	KEYNOTE ADDRESS – Sponsored by Honeywell

Administration
0.1 CEU 
Isha Khan

Isha Khan (she/her) is a lawyer, educator and community leader dedicated to building a culture of human rights in Canada and beyond. She assumed her role as CEO of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in August of 2020.

Born in Winnipeg, she holds degrees from the University of Manitoba and the University of Victoria. She worked in private practice in Calgary before returning home to lead institutional development and change management at United Way Winnipeg. She served at the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, first as legal counsel and then as Executive Director, moving forward several important rights-based initiatives and public education campaigns. Before assuming her role at the Museum, she was appointed by the Government of Canada to review the conditions of incarcerated people in segregation in federal penitentiaries.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, she is also a dedicated community volunteer who serves as Board Chair of United Way Winnipeg.

Throughout her life, Khan has helped build communities where everyone is respected and empowered to reach their full potential. She continues that work at the Museum, engaging people around the world in a growing movement for hope and human rights.

0930–1030

TRACK 1:PLENARY SESSION

 

TRACK 1:

When is an Upgrade More Than an Upgrade? Rethinking Traditional Approaches to Healthcare Infrastructure Renewal – Sponsored by Victaulic

Kim Spencer, P.Eng., LEED AP, Principal | Division Director, Health, HH Angus & Associates Ltd.

Edward Hood, P.Eng., , Engineering Director, Health, HH Angus & Associates Ltd.

Julie Lawson, P.Eng., LEED AP, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Health, HH Angus & Associates Ltd

Planning, Design, & Construction
0.1 CEU

As healthcare institutions grapple with significant challenges, it is increasingly important to not enter full ‘reactive mode’ but instead employ approaches that allow consideration of infrastructure upgrades as opportunities to improve the facilities and systems that support a safe, healthy, comfortable and productive environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Objectives:
• Identify key factors to consider in infrastructure renewal planning
• Describe the benefits of a holistic approach to infrastructure renewal projects
• Identify the operational opportunities that are present when applying a holistic approach to infrastructure revitalization10:30

10:30-11:00	Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall – Sponsored by Belimo Air Controls Inc
10:30-15:00	Exhibit Hall Open

 

1100-1200

TRACK 2: CONCURRENT SESSIONS:2A & 2B

 

TRACK 2A:

Ventilation Resilience in the Age of Covid and the Climate Crisis

Amandeep Deol, Director of Engineering, Enerlife Consulting

Planning, Design & Construction
0.1 CEU 

Ventilation systems in hospitals are both the biggest energy users and contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and a major determinant of patient and staff health. This session will present the 5 essential elements of a management process for testing, modifying and verifying system performance to ensure a safe and healthy environment without wasted energy.

Objectives:
• Identify the primary causes of inefficient ventilation systems in hospitals.
• Demonstrate the importance of testing air handling units on a regular basis.
• Provide data metrics derived from test results to identify system issues and corrective measures.

TRACK 2B:

Keeping the Power On While Replacing Critical Electrical Equipment

 Jeff Hankin PE, LEED AP, Senior Principal, Engineering , Stantec
 Maureen Jackson PE, Principal Electrical, Stantec 

Maintenance & Operations 
0.1 CEU 

Facilities facing aging infrastructure and the need to maintain reliable, continuous power services must employ critical thinking/collaborative team innovations to develop upgrade/replacement plans that address key needs while keeping power on.

Objectives:
• Understand the need to maintain reliable electric service to medical centers while replacing key, aging infrastructure.
• List and Discuss best practices for approaching critical thinking and innovations that facilitate replacement and upgrades with little to no disruption.
• Review case study for Providence Regional Everett Medical Center, a 2022 ASHE Vista Award Winner, where the service entrance electrical equipment was replaced in phases, in the same available space while maintaining power to the medical center.
• Review case study for Loma Linda University Medical Center’s Replacement Hospital project (2022 ENR Best Project Award Winner), where signficant normal and essential power site infrastructure had to be re-routed in place to maintain power to the existing medical center so the site area could be made available for construction of the replacement hospital.

1200-1300

TRACK 3: CONCURRENT SESSIONS:3A & 3B

 

TRACK 3A:

Digital Transformation Roadmap to the Future Smart Hospital

Mike Maselli, Introba
 Dan Gagné, BScPH, WiredScore AP, SmartScore AP, Associate, Healthcare Technology

Planning, Design, & Construction,
Maintenance & Operations
0.1 CEU 

Leveraging digital transformation to plan and execute a Smart Hospital strategy to help the challenges healthcare providers face with high costs, changing care models, staff retention, consumerization of healthcare, decarbonization, and cyber security with steps every system can take to assess their current state and envision a digital future.

Objectives:
• Describe the operations of a Smart Hospital
• Assess the current state of digital systems and services
• Identify healthcare innovation and future disruptive technologies
• State the process healthcare systems can take to start a Smart Hospital Strategy

TRACK 3B:

This is exciting: Energizing Healthcare Facilities Through CSA/ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems

 Kate Butler P.Eng., LEED AP, Executive Director Energy Management, Service New Brunswick Health  Services  
 Blaine Lynch, Regional Director, Facilities, Engineering and Property Maintenance, Horizon NB 

Code & Standards Compliance
0.1 CEU

Energy Management Systems, as per the CSA/ISO 50001 guidelines, can support healthcare facilities as organizations rejuvenate their infrastructure and invest in capital while being environmental stewards that supports exceptional patient care.

In 2021, Horizon Health Network implemented the guidelines across the organization at an enterprise and site level. The presentation will provide an overview of CSA/ISO 50001 Energy Management System Guidelines as well as share Horizon’s implementation with outcomes, experiences and lessons learned.

Objectives:
• Explain the standard, scope and terms.
• Describe the process of implementing in healthcare facilities
• Illustrate the outcomes (including outlining and proving examples from the Horizon Enterprise Manual that meets the standards and as well providing details of the site level documents information registry)
• Assess the benefit and values and the impact on rejuvenating healthcare infrastructure

13:00-14:00

Lunch in the Exhibit Hall – Sponsored by DuBois Chemicals

 

15:00-16:00

TRACK 4: CONCURRENT SESSIONS:4A & 4B

 

TRACK 4A:

Responding to a Water Management Crisis “Green Water”

  Michael Stanford, PMP®, CHE, Executive Director, Alberta Health Services
  Brian Flannigan, Senior VP of Marketing, Phigenics 

Maintenance & Operations
0.1 CEU 

An effective and efficient Water Management Program can be used to assist in the restoration of services during a crisis. Learn how one organization responded and used a Water Management Program to recover from the sudden development of “green water” in a brand-new hospital addition. This session will present a summary of the situation, the resources required, and how the lessons learned are being applied to future construction projects and ongoing water management.

Objectives:
• Identify how a Water Management Program can be used during a crisis.
• Use lessons learned from a real event to expedite the recovery of the potable water system.
• Use lessons learned from a real event to expedite the recovery of the potable water system.
• Describe the teamwork and resources required for the restoration of services during a major water event.
• State the importance of managing water during construction and commissioning.

TRACK 4B:

Applying Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments to Healthcare Facilities

 Lindsay Allen P.Eng., Climate Resiliance Engineer at CBCL
 Martino Fanfani P.Eng, Director of Buildings for Ontario at CBCL
 Hajnalka Risenbrough, M.Eng., Brightshores Health System
 Sean Conroy, Brightshores Health System

Codes & Standards Compliance,
Maintenance & Operations
0.1 CEU

Climate change is posing wide ranging and ever evolving challenges to healthcare facilities across Canada. A core aspect of operating any facility sustainably is considering potential impacts of climate change and cost-effective adaptation strategies during both the design and operation of buildings. This presentation will discuss relevant climate projections for practitioners, as well as best practices for assessing risk and adapting to climate change through relevant case study examples in various locations across Canada.

Objectives:
• Provide conference attendees with an overview of climate change and how these concepts are applied in the context of healthcare facilities.
• Brief discussion on the various protocols that can be used when developing climate risk and vulnerability assessments.
• Present highlights of a climate risk and vulnerability assessment that was conducted on a healthcare facility in Ontario.

1600-1700	“Happy Hour” in Exhibit Hall – Sponsored by Trane
1800-1900	President’s Reception – Sponsored by Tremco York Ballroom 2-4 & Concourse, RBC Convention Centre

1900-2300

Gala Banquet – Sponsored by Johnson Controls Banquet Entertainment – Big City All Star Band – Sponsored by SDI Canada York Ballroom 1, RBC Convention Centre

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
0700-0830	Breakfast – Sponsored by ft3 Architecture Landscape Interior Design
0830-0930	TRACK 5: CONCURRENT SESSIONS:5A & 5B

TRACK 5A:

M&E Post Disaster Resilience Rejuvenation

 Collin Vaness, MCW Consulting Ltd.

Maintenance & Operations,
Administration
0.1 CEU 

This presentation will focus on upgrading / rejuvenating mechanical and electrical systems for medium to high-risk health care infrastructure located in environmentally unstable areas of the country. The presentation will provide an overall road map moving forward that will help better prepare facility operators, architects, engineers and policy makers on how to deal with the challenges that will be faced when preparing for and operating after a major environmental disaster has occurred.

Objectives:
• Provide an overview of typical health-care infrastructure and its preparedness for post disaster operations.
• Identify challenges existing health care facilities in the mainland will face when implementing an emergency response plan and operating in a post disaster environment.
• Provide realistic solutions, given technical and budgetary limitations, when building new and upgrading new hospitals that are required to operate in a post disaster environment.

TRACK   5B:

Future-Proofing Toronto Western Hospital: Decarbonizing Healthcare HVAC infrastructure using Wastewater Energy

 

 Songyang Hu P. Eng., CEM, Energy Manager, University Health Network
 Campbell Quinn P. Eng., Senior Project Manager, Noventa

Administration,
Maintenance & Operations
0.1 CEU 

University Health Network (UHN) and Noventa will present their Wastewater Energy Transfer™ (WET) project at Toronto Western Hospital (TWH), which uses wastewater as an alternative energy source and converts the hospital’s HVAC infrastructure from steam to hot water to reduce 8,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The presentation covers how the system works, and how the project will accelerate similar initiatives in the future.

Objectives:
• Demonstrate how an acute care hospital is being retrofitted to reduce GHG emissions, reinvent the central plant, and improve resiliency
• Inspire healthcare facilities to adopt innovative solutions to decarbonize their facilities and motivate public and private entities to work together
• Debunk concerns about the risks of electrified heating and cooling solutions, such as Wastewater Energy Transfer™
• Share experience, challenges and potential pitfalls from the project

0930-1015	CHES National Annual General Meeting
1015-1045	CHES Manitoba Chapter Annual General Meeting
1015-1415	Exhibit Hall Open
1215-1315	Lunch in the Exhibit Hall – Sponsored by SMS Engineering
1315-1415	TRACK 6: CONCURRENT SESSIONS: 6A & 6B

 

TRACK 6A:

What’s in Your Ductwork?  Lessons Learned From an Operating Room Event

Gordie Howie, ASHE President

Maintenance & Operations
0.1 CEU

The intent of this session is to discuss events that led to a hospital in the United States immediately stopping performance of procedures in its operating room suite, what was identified, and what actions were taken. Lessons learned that can translate across borders will be examined.

Objectives:
• The importance of “stop the line” and empowering teams
• Identifying root cause without blame
• The role of trust and integrity between clinical departments and Facilities
• The critical importance of considering all components of a mechanical system
• Why teamwork and a common mission will triumph

TRACK 6B:

A Low Carbon Roadmap to Meeting 2030 and 2050 Emissions Goals

   Pierre Iachetti, RPP, MCIP, PAg, LEED Green Associate, Director of Energy, Environment & Climate Change,                                                              Facilities    Management, Island Health

Codes & Standards Compliance,
Financial Management
0.1 CEU 

Island Health is developing a Low Carbon Roadmap to 2030 and beyond in collaboration with our partners. The LCR guides the organization’s pathway to reducing GHG emissions, decarbonizing, and electrification. The LCR is a shared vision for prioritizing future capital projects on the basis of technical viability and cost effectiveness, in order to create a viable path to a minimum 50% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, with considerations for our future 2050 target of 80% emissions reductions.

Objectives:
• Assess possible pathways to 2030 GHG emissions reductions targets
• Describe potential decision-support tools for GHG emissions reductions planning
• Identify methods and tools for scenario planning for GHG emissions reductions ECMs
• Assess opportunities and scenarios for decarbonization including retrofitting buildings with more efficient technology and designs, electrification, renewable energy and district energy.

1415-1515

TRACK 7: CONCURRENT SESSIONS: 7A & 7B

 

TRACK 7A:

Managing Infrastructure, Space and the Relationship Between Them

 Andy Santoro, P.Eng., President, Sansys Inc.
 Scott Payne, William Osler Health System

Planning, Design & Construction
0.1 CEU 

For the most part, existing documentation used as a reference for managing space and infrastructure equipment consists of a hodgepodge of inaccurate, outdated AS builts, manuals, and Floor Plans in both paper and digital media. Facility planning and maintenance staff rely on this information to maintain and operate infrastructure and manage space.
Tools are now available to provide a simple secure and accurate representation of space and the equipment infrastructure that supports it.

Objectives:
• Quickly access accurate information to assist with compliance ie IPAC, Arc Flash, Med Gas Inspections etc
• Manage planned equipment shutdowns
• Mitigate damage and minimize risk from equipment failure (gas, liquid, electrical)
• Understand cost and Risk implications for renovations, construction and the repurposing of space
• Keeping documentation accurate and current

TRACK 7B:

Transitioning Central Plants From Steam Centric, High Carbon to Integrated Low Carbon Systems

Ian Jarvis, Executive Director, Climate Challenge Network
Amandeep Deol, Technical Director, Climate Challenge Network

Codes & Standards Compliance,
Maintenance & Operations,
Financial Management
0.1 CEU

The transition to low carbon is changing the way we look at hospital infrastructure. Hospitals are at the front line of the drive to cut greenhouse gas emissions, with central plants being a primary area for attention. Low carbon plants, including integrated heat recovery and air conditioning chillers, comprehensive heat reclaim, condensing boilers and renewable energy, are being designed into new hospitals. The challenge is to economically transition existing hospital plants to these low carbon

Objectives:
• Describe the features of the low-carbon plant in comparison to the traditional central plant.
• Demonstrate the efficiency of new hospitals that already have low-carbon plants.
• Outline the roadmap to net-zero that each hospital will follow, starting from their current energy performance.

1515-1545

Refreshment Break – Sponsored by Camfil Canada Inc.

 

1545-1645

TRACK 8: PLENARY SESSION

 

Space Management Enabling the Launch of a Virtual Hospital

Martine Janicki, PhD, PEng, PMP, EDAC Director, Facilities and Land Development, Fraser Health

Planning, Design, & Construction
Administration
0.1 CEU 

Fraser Health Space Management was engaged to develop a built-environment for an innovative virtual hospital to help address the unprecedented pressure on acute care sites and provide virtual services “post” pandemic. Upon assessment, existing corporate space in a commercial building was selected. Months of staff engagement, space planning, furniture purchase and challenging infrastructure upgrade resulted in the successful launch of Fraser Virtual, 24/7 virtual services by 100+ administrative and clinical staff.

Objectives:
• Identify opportunities for Facilities Management to enable innovative virtual health services
• Appreciate the challenges related to setting up clinical services in corporate space in a commercial building and identify required space components for a virtual hospital
• Understand critical partnership with clinical, real estate and technical teams

1645-1700

Closing Ceremonies