A facilities professional's world in the reform era is furnished by efficiency and durability. Tighter economic times mean health care facilities professionals are taking a hard look their furniture choices. Design and consistency can play a large role in a facility’s brand, but the furniture also needs to be durable from a facilities standpoint.
As an article in the June issue of Health Facilities Management notes, furniture manufacturers are being challenged to create lines that can keep a consistent look across a variety of venues – from atriums and waiting areas to more intimate patient rooms and treatment spaces.
As the article notes, manufacturers are accepting the challenge and are striving to create products that have a high-end look but also are durable and can withstand regular, hospital-grade cleanings. Good looks and "clean-abilty" didn’t always to go hand in hand in the past, but today they can, even in the realm of upholstered furniture. Stylish, contemporary textiles for healthcare environments are “bleach friendly,” breathable and feel good to the touch.
The same holds true for hard surfaces. Wood elements are specially sealed or are in the form of engineered laminates. And some manufacturers are incorporating such tried-and-true hard surface materials as Corian into designs.
Trends go beyond durability and embrace flexibility, touching upon accommodations for bariatric patients, sustainability considerations and even technology. It all comes down to adaptability from every aspect of design.
Read the article.
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