Medical Construction & Design

JAN-FEB 2018

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 | JA N UA RY/ F EBRUA RY 2018 | Medical Construction & Design 19 FLOORING continued page 21 >> trending toward an ongoing interdisciplinary process where manufacturers, healthcare organizations, policymakers and designers work together to collaboratively create and install products that lead to the overall health and wellness of those who come in contact with the fl ooring. The following are top three trends in healthcare fl ooring and the rationale behind the innovations they provide. Visual impact Flooring is one of the fi rst materials a visitor encounters when entering a building. It can create a sense of arrival and leave a lasting impact. Flooring also provides an identity for various departments throughout a facility through the use of material and/or color changes to greet, and guide, patients as they move between spaces. These visual cues and wayfi nding elements help direct patients and visitors to their destination. Biophilic design reconnects people with the natural environment and a growing trend that incorporates fl ooring, which provides a natural visual, whether through color, pattern or material. Case studies continue to show the positive impact nature has on patients and contributes to a more comforting and nurturing environment, which ultimately lowers stress and improves the overall healing process. Sustainability Sustainability continues to be a driver in the fl ooring industry — and commercial interiors as a whole — steering the market toward renewable and recyclable material selection. True sustainable fl ooring options will include reduced toxins within their chemical makeup, such as materials that are phthalate or PVC-free, but also contribute to healthier maintenance procedures. While sustainable fl ooring may be a preferred method to contribute to a healthier environment, it needs to be easy to maintain and further the main goal of a healthcare facility — to help and heal people. Hospitals require fl ooring not only durable enough to withstand rigorous cleaning methods and chemicals, but fl oors that also retain a timelessness to avoid frequent replacement. Replacing fl oors multiple times because of a lack of durability or becoming outdated, even if considered to be "green" fl oors, no longer makes the case for it being a sustainable fl oor. The combination of sustainability and resilience is key in most healthcare settings. Flooring that has better texture, assists in reducing foot fatigue (softer under foot), eye fatigue (satin or matte fi nish to avoid hot spots on fl oors) and sound reverberation is also gaining in popularity. Many of these types of fl ooring options are proven to reduce patient falls and injuries, allow staff to be on their feet longer to attend to patients and even provide better acoustics and less glare Hospitals require fl ooring not only durable enough to withstand rigorous cleaning methods and chemicals, but fl oors that also retain a timelessness to avoid frequent replacement. Can a floor improve the wellness of hospital patients and caregivers? Yes. Can we reduce the risk of injury from a fall? Can we quiet the healing environment? Can we improve the wellness of the staff? Yes. Go to ecorehealthcare.com to learn how a floor can do more.

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