From the moment you walk into a healthcare facility, all the way to administrative support areas, community spaces, and patient care rooms, the interiors can make or break a thoughtful experience for caregivers, patients, and guests.
Each area is critical, and outfitting your facility with the furniture that works is a must to ensure that caregivers are empowered, and patients are engaged and given utmost comfort. However, since hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices have specific requirements, searching for the right furniture can seem like a daunting task.
Don’t fret! We have the answers. Here are top things to consider to select the best healthcare furniture:
Cleanability and Durability
Patient rooms, exam rooms, and treatment spaces such as recovery areas require constant cleaning and disinfecting as bacteria and viruses can breed on the surfaces of tables, chairs, and desks. When selecting healthcare furniture, opt for those with surfaces that are free of seams and creases where germs can lurk, and are nonporous. Antimicrobial surfaces and upholstery, furniture with stain-resistant finishes, and high-performance fabrics are a must, too!
Choose materials that are not only easy to clean, but can also stand up to frequent sanitizing and washing.
Safety and Comfort
Hospitals and clinics should be able to accommodate people of all ages, shapes, and physical infirmities. Seating selections that can provide support, safety, and comfort are very important. If you’re furnishing an orthopedic or geriatric facility, hip chairs should be provided for guests who may be having a hard time with getting up and out of standard guest chairs. Allotting Bariatric seating for big and tall guests will make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Aside from having a safe weight capacity, the chairs you would select should be able to support the weight of an individual, and the motion it takes for them to get out of it.
Ergonomic chairs and desks reduce fatigue and back pain among both healthcare staff and patients.
Furniture with soft corners and edges can also be considered in order to lessen injury in case of a fall. Also choose those that do not contain any sharp or removable components that can cause harm.
Touch of Technology
Patient-caregiver interaction and access to information has evolved through technology. With decentralized models of care emerging, patient records can now be accessed in various spaces—from exam rooms, huddle areas, and even at the bedside. Furniture with flexible monitor arms, and those that can be adjusted for both seating and standing positions are now available to support caregivers, and harness their interaction with patients.
Privacy
Furniture for healthcare goes beyond desks, exam tables, and chairs. Investing in privacy features such as privacy screens, configurable furniture, and sound absorbing walls will promote focus and increase efficiency among doctors, nurses, and other staff. This sense of privacy can also ease patient anxiety, and can help them feel safe.
If applicable for your facility, collaborative workspaces such as huddle rooms where medical staff members can connect to support the advancement of ideas, and provide the best care for their patients is also highly considerable.
Community Spaces
Configuring community spaces or waiting areas such as lobbies, outdoor spaces, and cafes where friends and family members can stay while they wait for their loved one can establish a more intimate, relaxed setting.
Aesthetics
Although it is crucial for a healthcare facility to be sterile, it doesn’t have to look cold and uninviting with the usual white-on-white walls and furnishings. Incorporating warm colors, design trends, plants, earthy colors, or fun patterns can establish a pleasing look that can help calm uneasy nerves, and make visits more comfortable.
Need further assistance? From seating options, tables, storage, freestanding screens, portable medical carts, and so much more—we got you covered with the best of the best healthcare furniture! Design a space beyond traditional healthcare settings. Contact TRBI today.
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