Medical Construction & Design (MCD) is the industry's leading source for news and information and reaches all disciplines involved in the healthcare construction and design process.
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18 Medical Construction & Design | J U LY/AUGUST 2017 | MCDM AG.COM Whether as a patient or a visi- tor, everyone can relate to be- ing in a healthcare facility that feels institutional and overly sterile. Typically, sterility in a hospital is a great attribute and one that should be encouraged. Patients have many choices when it comes to providers and — historically when asked for input on the interior environ- ment — often express a desire for warm and engaging at- tributes that promote a healing environment. As healthcare facility design is increasingly being shaped by patient input and competi- tion remains high between providers, a common question arises: Can a healthcare facil- ity achieve both the form of a warm and pleasant building, while maintaining functions such as hygiene and ability to be cleaned? How sterile is too sterile? Today medical institutions must balance the desire for an appealing image while still ob- taining the high levels of main- tenance required in a hospital setting. Additionally, given the increase of various healthcare- associated infections, infection control is of utmost importance from both safety and fi nancial perspectives. In the 1990s, the healthcare design industry began using products with a residential or hospitality aesthetic. Warm wood tones, stone looks, soft color palettes and organic tex- tures were (and still are) shown in fl ooring, fabric and wallcov- ering products by most major Balancing form and function in a healthcare environment Spotlight Surfaces KEEP IT CLEAN To increase sterility in patient rooms, many facilities are de- signing their patient rooms to reduce sightlines from door to patient, elimi- nating the need for a fabric barrier for privacy (top). > Previous design trends placed TVs either in armoires at the foot of the bed, or mounted fl at screens to the wall. Using inspira- tion from the corporate trend, TVs can be embedded into an easily cleaned fl ush media wall. A similar treatment can be done for patient monitors, as well as all wall-mounted controls, creating an environment that lends itself to being clad in a material-like solid surfacing. How Sterile is Too Sterile? BY LISA BONNET