Hospital engineering celebrates another milestone on its path toward excellence in the healthcare system. Over three days, the FIBES II Congress Palace in Seville became the national hub for hospital engineering, hosting the 41st Hospital Engineering Seminar.
This edition brought together more than 1,500 participants, 120 exhibiting companies, and featured 13 discussion panels, establishing itself as a key reference point for the healthcare sector.
Organized by the Spanish Association of Hospital Engineering (AEIH), the seminar once again tackled crucial topics related to hospital infrastructure and technology, from cybersecurity to the use of renewable energy sources.
Hospital engineering: an essential yet underrecognized profession
José Luis López González, president of AEIH, emphasized the event’s goal: to spotlight a profession that, while little known to the general public, is vital to the sustainability of the healthcare system.
Hospital engineering not only enhances the efficiency of healthcare infrastructures, such as electrical systems, but also contributes to reducing environmental impact and ensuring a safe environment for patients and professionals alike.
“These meetings are crucial for reflecting on and debating the solutions that engineering can bring to the healthcare sector,” López González stated.
This year, Seville welcomed leading experts who examined how emerging technologies like green hydrogen and solar energy are shaping the future of hospitals.
Innovation, sustainability, and architecture at the forefront
One of the most notable topics was the discussion on the use of green hydrogen as a sustainable solution for hospitals.
Participants explored the potential of this renewable energy resource, which not only reduces carbon emissions but also enhances the energy resilience of hospital infrastructures.
Applications discussed included using fuel cells to ensure continuous energy supply, integrating renewable hydrogen into hospital vehicle fleets, and incorporating this technology into portable medical devices—a promising solution for emergencies.
Architecture also took center stage during discussions. In two sessions dedicated to “healing architecture,” experts examined how hospital and healthcare facility design can positively influence patient recovery.
One of the most notable topics was the discussion on the use of green hydrogen as a sustainable solution for hospitals.
The role of the Resident Internal Engineer
Another key topic was the proposal to introduce the role of the Resident Internal Engineer in hospitals within the National Health System.
This professional profile would be instrumental in ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare infrastructures, from primary care centers to major hospitals.
Primary care also received significant attention. In a panel titled “Process Reengineering Applied to Primary Care: A Holistic Perspective,” the specific challenges of managing healthcare centers across various regions were analyzed.
Rafael Domínguez Ramírez, deputy director of Madrid’s Health Service, highlighted the importance of efficient maintenance for systems like HVAC, as failures can result in high economic and social costs.
This professional profile would be instrumental in ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare infrastructures, from primary care centers to major hospitals.
Recognizing Excellence
The gala dinner marking the event’s conclusion provided a platform to award the best presentations delivered during the seminar.
First prize was awarded to Imán Laga from the Virgen del Rocío Hospital in Seville for her research on the use of “3D digital twins” in laparoscopic surgical planning.
Other awardees included Antonio Tomás Borja for his sustainability project within Murcia’s Health Service and Laura Herrero Urigüen for her study on human factor engineering in evaluating healthcare technology.
Positive Outcomes and a Look Ahead to Málaga
The closing ceremony was led by prominent figures such as Jesús Aguirre Muñoz, president of the Andalusian Parliament, and José Manuel Giraldo Estefani, president of the seminar. All agreed on the event’s success, which not only met expectations but also provided key insights for the future of hospital engineering.
It was also announced that Málaga will host the next edition in 2025, a challenge to be undertaken by José Antonio Ponce Ranea, deputy director of Infrastructure and Maintenance at the Málaga Regional University Hospital.
A transformative event
As in previous years, the 41st Hospital Engineering Seminar was not only a space for knowledge exchange but also a catalyst for change in a sector facing significant challenges.
From the need to adopt new energy sources to integrating specialized professional profiles, the event underscored that hospital engineering is a cornerstone of a sustainable and efficient healthcare system.