Healthcare Spotlight
Healthcare interiors have become a very large part of the contract interiors industry, and we at Seibold Baker have seen a large increase in demand in this category. Hospitals, clinics, senior living facilities and other medical end users are rapidly building new facilities and renovating existing facilities. Healthcare demands are changing. As the Baby Boomer generation ages the demand and requirements on these medical facilities is increasing by the day. These clients are interested in good looking and highly functional products that need to have a number of attributes including:
1. Cleanability
News Flash: A lot of sick and or injured people routinely visit or stay at a healthcare facility! That means furniture can (and will) come into contact with germs that would be unusual in other settings. As a result healthcare furniture must be able to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. In some cases subjected to cleanings several times a day. Health Care-associated Infections (HAIs) are a major concern for end users, and that concern has changed the priorities for furniture and fabric design. Features like cleanouts and antimicrobial finish materials are must haves for these projects.
2. Ergonomics
Furniture in Healthcare environments is typically used by many people in relatively short time frames. This demands that the ergonomics of the furniture allow people to get in and out of the product easily while also being comfortable. Another big consideration is how the design aids caregivers who often need to transfer a patient from one product to another. Injuries to staff and the resulting insurance claims are necessitating a move to furniture that not only protects the patient but also the staff. IOA offers recliners with features like fold down barrier-free arms, and hydraulic lift mechanisms to allow the furniture to lift patients and transfer directly to a bed or surgical table.
3. Family Friendly
Many patients in a healthcare environment are accompanied by family members or other loved ones that want to be near the patient to offer comfort and support. People using these products are often facing life threatening conditions and are under significant stress, so casual shapes and durable construction really can help reduce that stress.
4. Mobility
Strong casters and integrated central locking are also important features. Furniture is often moved, either to reposition for user comfort, or for cleaning the area that furniture is used in. The furniture often needs to be moved to other areas of a facility and travels over thresholds or other obstacles so it must be very robust.
5. Durability:
Most facilities now insist that lounge furniture and other patient and guest seating support higher weight individuals. Most of the products that we recommend for public areas will minimally support 350 pound per user, while all of our intensive use product support at least 500 pounds per user. Hospitals should focus on patients not broken chairs!
6. Patient Comfort:
Patient comfort is integral to all of IOA’s designs. While we wish nobody had to use this furniture we know many people will. Comfort is a wonderful stress reliever specifically at a time when the patient is dealing with any medical issue. Many facilities that have infusion therapy need to have products that a patient will be sitting on for many hours. We offer heat and massage, and many other options including adjustable tablet and monitor support arms. Also integrated USB and/or 110v charging outlets for smart devices to provide the patient control over their own entertainment.
7. Design
The furniture should be designed to support the greatest number of body types as possible, and also encourage styles of sitting that would be uncommon in everyday use. The “Healing Power of Touch” is a CEU that we offer that goes into great detail about furniture design and how the shape of the furniture can influence the healing process. Another simple use that is unique to these environments is the need for the furniture to allow a user to rest in ways that other types of facilities don’t encounter. Whether that is napping or a full overnight sleeping situation, we have products that are perfect for all. We do sleep sofas that even our own David Hasselhoff can stretch out in.
One thing we have learned is that while the goal of virtually every facility is positive patient outcomes, their philosophy of aesthetics and functional details can be very different. For example, some facilities won’t use any product that features exposed natural wood, and others want all of their products to have some wood elements. It’s not a one size fits all market and we offer solutions for virtually every environment.
Call us. We would be happy to share our experience around this category, as well as learn from you!
