Evidence-based design is an increasingly important concept in healthcare facilities and can be used in many situations. In the case of flooring, although the evidence is incomplete, the Center for Health Design’s Research Coalition has developed a checklist to indicate what managers should be looking for in flooring options and areas for further research.
The May-June issue of Healthcare Design reports that the center’s study in 2012 found little research on the impact of flooring on healthcare outcomes, and the available information does not lend itself to apples-to-apples comparisons. However, the checklist can help designers identify priorities for specific areas, as well as cases where tradeoffs must be made – for instance, a textured surface that helps avert falls will also be more difficult to clean.
In general, flooring should be stable, impermeable, slip-resistant and continuous, with minimal joints or transitions. The surface’s underlay should absorb energy, in order to minimize the impact of falls and ease the burden on staffers who must stand for a long time, and the surface should absorb sound. Colors and patterns that match the design scheme can help promote wayfinding, and VOC emissions should be minimal in order to maintain good indoor air quality, the article says.
According to the article, managers should consider costs of care and maintenance to arrive at a total lifecycle cost for a floor system, but evidence is still lacking to show how flooring may contribute to patient outcomes. The center hopes that feedback from the new checklist will help direct more research and develop better standards for the industry.
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