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MCDM AG.COM | J U LY/AUGUST 2017 | Medical Construction & Design 19 STERILE continued page 21 >> manufacturers. Incorporating a variety of these materials was vi- sually appealing and had its place in creating healing atmospheres with personality from a visual perspective. However, the details used in this design era were fussy, often complicated and diffi cult to clean — which created an in- creased demand on environmen- tal services departments. While many facilities still desire the "hospitality aesthetic," some are opting to take a diff er- ent approach by following cues set by corporate and retail giants. The design styles of compa- nies such as Google and retail stores such as Apple lean toward streamlined designs featuring clean lines, smooth surfaces and simple details to produce a mini- malistic aesthetic. Large expanses of glass, stainless steel, smooth terrazzo fl ooring, high ceilings, bold graphics and pops of vibrant col- or set against a crisp background are prominently featured in design magazines. As this image works its way across corporate America, the general population is becoming more comfortable with it. Healthcare facilities that ride this wave will be perceived by many as "state-of-the-art" and current. Additionally, those that have already started to incorporate this style are able to see that this new era of design can help to support their major challenge of reducing HAIs. New advancements in surfaces The use of solid surface material, either in wall cladding or counter surfaces, is one way hospitals can support their HAI-reduction eff orts. More facilities are incor- porating solid surface materials, such as non-porous acrylic resin products, that inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and other mi- croorganisms. The materials are naturally impact resistant and es- sentially maintenance free. With various options available, facili- ties and designers can appeal to either the expected hospitality style or use crisp colors to ap- peal to a younger demographic. These surfaces are also easy to clean and can withstand harsh chemicals, such as bleach, over long periods of time. For soft surfaces like cubicle curtains in environments such as pre- and post-op monitor- ing bays, fabric vendors have begun to incorporate silver ion technology. As seen frequently in athletic clothing, silver ions are woven into the fabric to help kill lingering bacteria and fungi. To increase sterility in patient rooms, many facilities are elimi- nating cubicle curtains altogether by designing their patient rooms to reduce sightlines from door to patient, eliminating the need for a fabric barrier for privacy. Floor surfaces now use easy- to-clean materials with minimal or no seaming for bacteria to hide, such as sheet vinyl, sheet rubber or poured epoxy fl oor- ings. For rooms that require an 1.800.428.4065 TOLL FREE www.willoughby-ind.com V Behavioral Healthcare Lavatory Healthcare Fixtures That Last! © 2016 Willoughby Industries Inc. e Fixtures That Last! Conceived to minimize ligature points for behavioral healthcare environments. Engineered with a 1,000-lb. ZHLJKWUDWLQJDQGVSHFLÀF features for bariatric patients in healthcare environments. Fabricated from all-welded 14-gauge type 304 stainless, these sinks come in a variety of FRQÀJXUDWLRQVZLWK²VWDWLRQV BHS-3123 WBL-2320 Stainless Steel Scrub Sinks V V Infection Control Lavatory 'HVLJQHGVSHFLÀFDOO\WR minimize splashing and reduce the spread of infectious disease. CSA Z8000 compliant! WICS-2222 EWSSS Now we're even easier to specify! Bariatric Healthcare Lavatory V » ,QIRUPDWLRQVKHHWVDQG5(9,7ÀOHVDUHDYDLODEOHDWZLOORXJKE\LQGFRP thcare Lavator y WS SS