Medical Construction & Design

JUL-AUG 2017

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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additional level of cleaning, these types of products can include an integral cove base to run up the wall at least six inches. While vinyl wallcovering was used frequently for the hospitality aesthetic in designs past, today wall surfaces are typically painted to be eas- ily cleaned. This not only allows the wall surfaces to be scrubbed thoroughly, but also reduces waste when renovat- ing (with no additional product to dispose of ). A notoriously un-hygienic area is the hand-washing sink and, as such, a lot of design thought has gone into improv- ing its sterility levels. Best practices today include using a solid surface material with an integral sink and integral back- splash. The use of hands-free faucets and soap dispensers also decreases the risk of con- tamination. It's all in the details Detailing with solid surfac- ing materials can also help to support the facility's eff orts in reducing HAIs. The mate- rial can be molded to include rounded corners to assist with more thorough cleaning in spots traditionally thought of as "bacteria collectors." For example, the corners of the patient's headwall, or overbed table, can feature this new type of detailing. With numerous spaces to clean in a single room, the use of uncomplicated details helps to shorten the room turn- around time between patients. Increasing the throughput of the rooms by the housekeeping staff can add to the profi tability of the facility. Furnishing enhancements for better cleanability and ste- rility include thermofoil lami- nate wraps used on overbed tables, bedside cabinets and wardrobes. The thermofoil is heat-sealed during production and wraps the furniture edges to protect them from splitting after repeated cleanings. Technology integrated with surfaces Previous design trends placed TVs either in armoires at the foot of the bed or fl atscreens mounted to the wall, like one might see in a hotel. Using inspiration from the corporate trend, TVs can now be embed- ded into a fl ush media wall that can be easily cleaned. 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. High-tech window treat- ments are also being incor- porated into the updated aes- thetic. Window coverings can include anti-microbial technol- ogy in the shade cloth to help dispel the growth of bacteria. There are even new window fi lms that use digital technol- ogy to turn the fi lm "on" or "off " allowing for either clear to opaque visuals. Cost is a factor, as many of these products can have a higher upfront cost and the ROI is not always clear. At the end of the day, healthcare facilities will need to weigh the benefi ts of the costs associated with using materials that support the latest trends with the potential savings of reducing HAIs. Lisa Bonnet, IIDA, NCIDQ, LEED AP, is a senior interior designer at e4h Environments for Health Architecture. Spotlight Surfaces >> STERILE continued from 19 Your Partner for Transforming Best Practices into Design 1.800.451.4118 Clinical Site Definition Data-Driven Designs 3D Revit ® Modeling Workflow Simulation Analysis Site Specific Final Installation Plans Scan QR Code to Access Belimed's Drawing Library 30+ Years Experience in Every Design info.us@Belimed.com

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