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MCDM AG.COM | JA N UA RY/ F EBRUA RY 2018 | Medical Construction & Design 21 Including fl oor mock-ups, or sampling a variety of fl ooring choices, can contribute to a timely and cost- eff ective vetting process. For example, on one project, a hospital tested fl ooring in one of the most highly abused corridors. Samples of each of the fl ooring choices were installed and the fi ndings for durability and maintenance were recorded over a several-month span. This provided a great deal of real-time information that helped the team with the fi nal selection process. Manufacturer involvement during the construction process is another helpful tool. Scheduling technical installation conferences at the beginning of construction and including site visits throughout the f looring installation helps the manufacturer educate the owner and operator on what they should be looking for during prep and installation, as well as care and maintenance of their f looring selection. With the major innovations in f looring design and ample selections on the market, teams can truly customize an ideal product for their particular project that meets the owner or operator's vision and budget, while improving the patient and staff experience. Heather Flannery, CID, EDAC, IIDA, is a senior associate at Hord Coplan Macht. to help reduce staff errors. Technolog y is being incorporated into fl ooring by creating smart fl oors that use micro-electronics and sensors. One company has created a product that detects falls in patient rooms and will send an alarm to staff. These types of products may be ideal for long-term care, senior and memory care facilities or in spaces that provide sleep studies to determine sleep walking and waking times. Education Product education is a main driver when selecting the right fl ooring system, especially given the plethora of options available. Designers need to work in tandem with facility own- ers and operators to educate them on what the fl ooring will look like, its functionality, options for customiza- tion, costs, how it is installed and how it should be maintained. Going through this process will undoubtedly help alleviate surprises and mainte- nance challenges. GUIDING THE WAY The soft curves between the wood and carpet fl ooring help soothe the patient. The wood fl ooring accentuates the entry check-in and the carpet leads the patient through the corridor to their appointment destination. Spotlight Flooring >> FLOORING continued from 19 A Better Patient Experience Begins Here. Discover a meaningful digital experience designed around the patient. medTAB™ delivers a touchscreen experience patients understand and enjoy as soon as they touch it. mymedtv.com TV E-MAIL NEWS GAMES INTERNET SOCIAL MEDIA ®