Focus: Interiors

Interior Design Choices Can Support Infection Prevention

Style must be balanced with ease of cleaning


A healthcare facility can make sure furnishings and materials support its infection prevention program by making choices that make keeping the environment clean as simple as possible, according to an article on the Health Facilities Maintenance website.

Healthcare furnishings must be able to withstand hospital-grade cleaning protocols and chemical, said Peggy Sonnenburg, Nemschoff Inc., the healthcare furniture company of Herman Miller Inc.

“For a surface to be disinfected, it has to be cleaned first,” said Mark Krejchi, from engineered surface manufacturer, Wilsonart. 

Krejchi called the three Ds of materials selection: disinfectability, durability and design. 

There is good science to indicate the environment plays an  important role in the healing process, Krejchi said.

For instance, it’s important that design teams select surfaces that are easily wiped down by facility staff. Wood, for example, typically is not ideal in high-risk spaces. It tends to be porous and its finishes can quickly be stripped away with repetitive cleanings. It’ll work for low-traffic areas like administrative offices, but not so much for patient rooms, according to a blog by Todd Imming, Chief Marketing Officer for The Korte Company.

Read the full Health Facilities Maintenance article.



October 2, 2020


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

On the Lookout: The Software Supply Chain as a Healthcare Cyberattack Vector

Staying watchful of third-party software vendors and their activities is critical for healthcare cybersecurity.


Hackensack Meridian Health & Wellness Center at Clifton Opens

The Clifton center expands health care access in Passaic County by reducing barriers such as travel and wait times.


Suffolk Breaks Ground on Expansion of White Plains Hospital

The 10-story, approximately 500,000-square-foot expansion is slated to open in 2028.


EVS Leadership Culture Critical in Preventing Hospital-Acquired Sepsis

Cleaning is an essential yet complex component for the prevention of HAI-induced sepsis.


Man Dies by Suicide in Emergency Department Waiting Room at Kansas Hospital

No staff or patients were harmed, and the man was alone in the waiting area when he shot himself.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.