{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,7]],"date-time":"2026-07-07T10:36:02Z","timestamp":1783420562844,"version":"3.54.6"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"18","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2019,9,11]],"date-time":"2019-09-11T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1568160000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000266","name":"Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["EP\/K021893\/1"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["EP\/K021893\/1"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000266","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["IJERPH"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Hospital buildings in the UK are at particular risk to rising summer temperatures associated with climate change. Balancing the thermal needs of patients, staff, and visitors is a challenging, complex endeavour. A case study of the ultrasound area of the Royal Berkshire Hospital\u2019s Maternity and Gynaecology building is presented, where temperatures were measured for 35 days in waiting areas, staff offices, and ultrasound scanning rooms, aiming to assess the overheating risk posed to occupants. Local external temperature measurements were used for comparison whereby determining the indoor-outdoor environmental connection. Results show that most rooms had already breached standard overheating thresholds within the study period. Anthropogenic and waste heat from equipment has a noticeable effect on indoor temperatures. Local air-conditioning helped reduce the peaks in temperature seen between 14:00 and 17:00 for similar scanning rooms but is in contradiction to the National Health Service\u2019s sustainability plans. Several low-level solutions such as improved signage, access to water, and the allocation of vulnerable patients to morning clinics are suggested. Barriers to solutions are also discussed and the requirement of sufficient maintenance plans for cooling equipment is empathised. These solutions are likely to be applicable to other hospital buildings experiencing similar conditions.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph16183347","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2019,9,11]],"date-time":"2019-09-11T11:26:34Z","timestamp":1568201194000},"page":"3347","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":17,"title":["Assessment of Overheating Risk in Gynaecology Scanning Rooms during Near-Heatwave Conditions: A Case Study of the Royal Berkshire Hospital in the UK"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4693-5931","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hannah","family":"Gough","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, Reading RG66UR, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Samuel","family":"Faulknall-Mills","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading RG1 5AN, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7010-476X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marco-Felipe","family":"King","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS6 1AN, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2082-3958","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Zhiwen","family":"Luo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of the Built Environment, University of Reading, Reading RG66UR, UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2019,9,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"Lowe, J.A., Bernie, D., Bett, P., Bricheno, L., Brown, S., Calvert, D., Clark, R., Eagle, K., Edwards, T., and Fosser, G. (2018). UKCP18 Science Overview Report."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1600-0668.2005.00394.x","article-title":"Ventilation and performance in office work","volume":"18","author":"Seppanen","year":"2006","journal-title":"Indoor Air"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"682","DOI":"10.1080\/00140130210158419","article-title":"Effects of hot and cold temperature exposure on performance: A meta-analytic review","volume":"45","author":"Pilcher","year":"2002","journal-title":"Ergonomics"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"355","DOI":"10.1080\/0265673021000054630","article-title":"Effects of heat stress on cognitive performance: The current state of knowledge","volume":"19","author":"Hancock","year":"2003","journal-title":"Int. J. Hyperth."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"851","DOI":"10.1518\/001872007X230226","article-title":"A Meta-Analysis of Performance Response Under Thermal Stressors","volume":"49","author":"Hancock","year":"2007","journal-title":"Hum. Factors"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"456","DOI":"10.1016\/j.buildenv.2008.04.008","article-title":"A Bayesian Network approach to the evaluation of building design and its consequences for employee performance and operational costs","volume":"44","author":"Jensen","year":"2009","journal-title":"Build. Environ."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"195","DOI":"10.1080\/17508975.2015.1011071","article-title":"A computer model for the assessment of employee performance loss as a function of thermal discomfort or degree of heat stress","volume":"8","author":"Roelofsen","year":"2016","journal-title":"Intell. Build. Int."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"40","DOI":"10.1016\/j.buildenv.2009.04.002","article-title":"Room air temperature affects occupants\u2019 physiology, perceptions and mental alertness","volume":"45","author":"Tham","year":"2010","journal-title":"Build. Environ."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"114","DOI":"10.1016\/j.buildenv.2013.06.012","article-title":"Influence of indoor air temperature on human thermal comfort, motivation and performance","volume":"68","author":"Cui","year":"2013","journal-title":"Build. Environ."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"153","DOI":"10.1007\/s00484-017-1435-9","article-title":"The impact of sustained hot weather on risk of acute work-related injury in Melbourne, Australia","volume":"62","author":"McInnes","year":"2018","journal-title":"Int. J. Biometeorol."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"338","DOI":"10.1136\/oemed-2014-102428","article-title":"Effect of summer outdoor temperatures on work-related injuries in Quebec (Canada)","volume":"72","author":"Smargiassi","year":"2015","journal-title":"Occup. Environ. Med."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"86","DOI":"10.5271\/sjweh.3602","article-title":"Association between high ambient temperature and acute work-related injury: A case-crossover analysis using workers\u2019 compensation claims data","volume":"43","author":"McInnes","year":"2017","journal-title":"Scand. J. Work Environ. Health"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"231","DOI":"10.1136\/oemed-2013-102031","article-title":"High ambient temperatures and work-related injuries","volume":"71","year":"2014","journal-title":"Occup. Environ. Med."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.2486\/indhealth.2012-0145","article-title":"Health Impacts of Workplace Heat Exposure: An Epidemiological Review","volume":"52","author":"Xiang","year":"2014","journal-title":"Ind. Health"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1169","DOI":"10.1002\/ajim.22650","article-title":"Exertional heat illness and acute injury related to ambient wet bulb globe temperature","volume":"59","author":"Mbah","year":"2016","journal-title":"Am. J. Ind. Med."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kjellstrom, T., Holmer, I., and Lemke, B. (2009). Workplace heat stress, health and productivity\u2014An increasing challenge for low and middle-income countries during climate change. Glob. Health Action, 2.","DOI":"10.3402\/gha.v2i0.2047"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"297","DOI":"10.1007\/s00038-011-0243-y","article-title":"Minimising harm from heatwaves: A survey of awareness, knowledge, and practices of health professionals and care providers in Victoria, Australia","volume":"57","author":"Ibrahim","year":"2012","journal-title":"Int. J. Public Health"},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"Public Health England (2018). Heatwave Plan for England. Protecting Health and Reducing Harm from Severe Heat and Heatwaves."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"CCC (Committee on Climate Change) (2014). Managing Climate Risks to Well-Being and the Economy: ASC Progress Report 2014, CCC."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.1016\/j.buildenv.2018.05.041","article-title":"Hospital wards and modular construction: Summertime overheating and energy efficiency","volume":"141","author":"Fifield","year":"2018","journal-title":"Build. Environ."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1177\/0143624411432012","article-title":"Resilience of \u2018Nightingale\u2019 hospital wards in a changing climate","volume":"33","author":"Lomas","year":"2012","journal-title":"Build. Serv. Eng. Res. Technol."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"573","DOI":"10.1016\/j.enbuild.2014.09.053","article-title":"The influence of hospital ward design on resilience to heat waves: An exploration using distributed lag models","volume":"86","author":"Iddon","year":"2015","journal-title":"Energy Build."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"274","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amepre.2012.11.015","article-title":"Minimization of heatwave morbidity and mortality","volume":"44","author":"Kravchenko","year":"2013","journal-title":"Am. J. Prev. Med."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"73","DOI":"10.1016\/j.buildenv.2012.02.031","article-title":"Building resilience to overheating into 1960\u2032s UK hospital buildings within the constraint of the national carbon reduction target: Adaptive strategies","volume":"55","author":"Short","year":"2012","journal-title":"Build. Environ."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1016\/j.buildenv.2011.12.006","article-title":"Thermal comfort standards, measured internal temperatures and thermal resilience to climate change of free-running buildings: A case-study of hospital wards","volume":"55","author":"Lomas","year":"2012","journal-title":"Build. Environ."},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"1","article-title":"Overheating and Hospitals\u2014What do we know?","volume":"2","author":"Carmichael","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Hosp. Adm."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"400","DOI":"10.1097\/QCO.0000000000000280","article-title":"Personal protective equipment and improving compliance among healthcare workers in high-risk settings","volume":"29","author":"Honda","year":"2016","journal-title":"Curr. Opin. Infect. Dis."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1080\/15459624.2012.635133","article-title":"Discomfort and exertion associated with prolonged wear of respiratory protection in a health care setting","volume":"9","author":"Shenal","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Occup. Environ. Hyg."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4071","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rser.2012.03.054","article-title":"Thermal comfort in hospitals\u2014A literature review","volume":"16","author":"Khodakarami","year":"2012","journal-title":"Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"559","DOI":"10.1016\/j.buildenv.2009.07.011","article-title":"Natural ventilation for reducing airborne infection in hospitals","volume":"45","author":"Qian","year":"2010","journal-title":"Build. Environ."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"872","DOI":"10.1016\/j.enbuild.2004.11.003","article-title":"Thermal environment in Swedish hospitals: Summer and winter measurements","volume":"37","author":"Skoog","year":"2005","journal-title":"Energy Build."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"211","DOI":"10.1016\/j.buildenv.2012.03.011","article-title":"Performance evaluation of natural ventilation strategies for hospital wards\u2014A case study of Great Ormond Street Hospital","volume":"56","author":"Adamu","year":"2012","journal-title":"Build. Environ."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"265","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jweia.2017.07.020","article-title":"Investigating the influence of neighbouring structures on natural ventilation potential of a full-scale cubical building using time-dependent CFD","volume":"169","author":"King","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"246","DOI":"10.1016\/j.buildenv.2018.03.055","article-title":"Field measurement of natural ventilation rate in an idealised full-scale building located in a staggered urban array: Comparison between tracer gas and pressure-based methods","volume":"137","author":"Gough","year":"2018","journal-title":"Build. Environ."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"315","DOI":"10.1016\/j.enbuild.2013.07.001","article-title":"Performance of hospital spaces in summer: A case study of a \u2018Nucleus\u2019-type hospital in the UK Midlands","volume":"66","author":"Giridharan","year":"2013","journal-title":"Energy Build."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"264","DOI":"10.1080\/09613210902885156","article-title":"Design strategy for low-energy ventilation and cooling of hospitals","volume":"37","author":"Short","year":"2009","journal-title":"Build. Res. Inf."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"159","DOI":"10.3846\/1648715X.2015.1029562","article-title":"Critical infrastructure risk in NHS England: Predicting the impact of building portfolio age","volume":"19","author":"Mills","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Strateg. Prop. Manag."},{"key":"ref_38","unstructured":"CIBSE (Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers) (2013). TM 52: The Limits of Thermal Comfort: Avoiding Overheating in European Building, CIBSE."},{"key":"ref_39","unstructured":"Tristel (2015). Tristel Safety Data Sheet, Tristel Solutions Ltd."},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"Hames, D., and Vardoulakis, S. (2012). Climate Change Risk Assessment for the Health Sector. UK 2012 Climate Change Risk Assessment, Crown."},{"key":"ref_41","unstructured":"Brugge, R., and Bert, S. (2015). One Hundred Years of Reading Weather, Climatological Observers Link. [1st ed.]."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"247","DOI":"10.1177\/0143624414567544","article-title":"A medium-rise 1970s maternity hospital in the east of England: Resilience and adaptation to climate change","volume":"36","author":"Short","year":"2015","journal-title":"Build. Serv. Eng. Res. Technol."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1016\/S0266-6138(85)80052-8","article-title":"Parents\u2019 reactions to maternity care","volume":"1","author":"Field","year":"1985","journal-title":"Midwifery"},{"key":"ref_44","unstructured":"Coulter, A., and Ellins, J. (2006). Patient-Focused Interventions: A Review of the Evidence, Health Foundation."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"187","DOI":"10.1080\/09613210410001679875","article-title":"Design strategy for low-energy ventilation and cooling within an urban heat island","volume":"32","author":"Short","year":"2004","journal-title":"Build. Res. Inf."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"629","DOI":"10.1016\/j.enbuild.2009.01.001","article-title":"Resilience of naturally ventilated buildings to climate change: advanced natural ventilation and hospital wards","volume":"41","author":"Lomas","year":"2009","journal-title":"Energy Build."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"996","DOI":"10.1080\/15428119691014323","article-title":"Airborne fungal contamination in air-conditioning systems: Effect of filtering and humidifying devices","volume":"57","author":"Parat","year":"1996","journal-title":"Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mendell, M.J., Lei-Gomez, Q., Mirer, A., Seppanen, O., and Brunner, G. (2006). Risk Factors in Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Systemsfor Occupant Symptoms in U.S. Office Buildings: The EPA BASE Study.","DOI":"10.2172\/902452"},{"key":"ref_49","unstructured":"Department of Health (2007). Heating and Ventilation Systems Health Technical Memorandum 03-01: Specialised Ventilation for Healthcare Premises\u2014Part A: Design and Validation, The Stationery Office."}],"container-title":["International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/16\/18\/3347\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T13:18:38Z","timestamp":1760188718000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/16\/18\/3347"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2019,9,11]]},"references-count":49,"journal-issue":{"issue":"18","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2019,9]]}},"alternative-id":["ijerph16183347"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ijerph16183347","relation":{},"ISSN":["1660-4601"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1660-4601","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2019,9,11]]}}}