Medical Construction & Design

SEP-OCT 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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MCDM AG.COM | SEPTEMBER /OCTOBER 2017 | Medical Construction & Design 19 DESIGN continued page 22 >> INSPIRING LIGHT Access to natural light in behavioral health patient rooms provides great health benefi ts. When designing a behavioral health inpatient stabiliza- tion unit in a community hospital, archi- tecture fi rm Harriman enhanced patient safety through the use of anti-ligature fi xtures in adjoining patient toilet rooms. The second category of healthcare restrooms — dedicated clinical toilet rooms — is designed to accommodate specifi c clinical needs across a wide spectrum of acuities. For example, medical/surgical patient rooms are often much more like hotel room toilets, complete with shower and hospitality-style fi nishes with hospital-grade durability. As a large number of hospitals are converting semi-private patient rooms to private rooms, toilet rooms are also being reno- vated to meet current standards. In an eff ort to minimize demoli- tion costs, hospitals are considering fi berglass reinforced plastic panels that can be installed over existing materials and provide a new seamless enclosure for the shower and entire toilet room. Further, careful attention is required in the design of the threshold and fl ooring transitions between the patient room, the toilet room and the accessible show- er to control water within the room and to minimize the risk of slips and falls. Specialties such as orthopedics may require larger room sizes to accommo- date patients with mobility issues. On the maternity fl oor, private post-partum rooms are being updated with hotel-like amenities, including storage in patient toilet rooms and lighting sconces in new beauty areas. Intensive care unit patients are often bedridden and unconscious, leading some hospitals to eliminate the patient toilet and replace it with a utility room with a fl ush sink for bedpan washing and a hand-washing sink. This design decision results in a signifi cant reduc- tion in the space required in lieu of a full toilet room. However, as patient families are increasingly invited into the ICU, the incorporation of a full patient toilet room is often provided to accommodate the presence and convenience of the family. Location matters It is well documented that the health- care environment has a direct impact on patient healing. The location and design of patient rooms, and even patient restrooms, can contribute to a patient's healing response. Patient restrooms located along an interior wall (inboard) frees up the window line for natural Aluflam has a complete offering of true extruded aluminum fire-rated vision doors, windows and glazed wall systems, fire-rated for up to 120 minutes. Available in all architectural finishes, our products are almost indistinguishable from non-fire-rated doors and windows. You won't have to compromise aesthetics to satisfy safety regulations. Fire-Rated Aluminum Window And Door Systems Fire Resistant. Design Consistent. Photo: Nick Merrick ©Hendrich Blessing Aluflam North America 562-926-9520 aluflam-usa.com Photo: Blind Dog Photography

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