By Paul Snyder / Special to Healthcare Facilities Today

Interior design isn’t just for high-class homeowners. And healthcare facilities no longer need to resemble morgues. Patients and residents can feel more alive than ever, because now we have the technology to blend style with safety. 

It might seem like a minor thing, but even a simple change like the installation of a new door and door frame system can greatly upgrade the look of a facility and create a more pleasant environment for patients, employees, residents, and families. 

The contributions modern door systems make to the overall charm of a building can serve as an indicator of the owner’s commitment to the care and well-being of the guests who live, work, and visit the facility. This kind of commitment not only improves the resale value of the building, but it is also more likely to lead people to choose that facility over ones with less welcoming environments. 

Best of all, building owners do not have to sacrifice durability or security for atmosphere. Today’s high impact, commercial doors and frame systems have the elegance and strength necessary to serve multiple agendas. 

Doors are now available in a range of colors

Color choices stretch far beyond those of the rainbow. But when remodeling healthcare facilities, owners cannot choose just any color. Many factors need to be considered when choosing the right colors for a room.

Brighter colors, for example, should be reserved for areas where activity is encouraged. These spaces range from art therapy and craft rooms to various areas throughout children’s hospitals. Lobbies of emergency rooms could always use a little extra color, as well; so facility owners should consider adding high abuse doors and framing systems in bold-colored casings to contrast with the neutral walls. 

On the other hand, soft and neutral colors can evoke feelings and sentiments of peacefulness. These shades are ideal for soothing a patient’s nerves and decreasing stress. Doors and door frames in these colors therefore fit perfectly with the sense of tranquility sought out by family physicians, physical therapists, and psychologists, as well for surgical suites and recovery rooms.

Healthcare facility owners and other commercial building operators who need door frame systems that can withstand high abuse but which also look good might find doors with simulated wood grain patterns appealing. From maple to mahogany, high abuse doors are available in a wide array of colors and patterns to soothe the moods of patients and residents alike. 

Durable doors and frame systems brighten children’s hospitals

One of the most important aspects of running a children’s hospital is keeping the spirts of the young patients and their families high. When it comes to fulfilling such a tall order, the appearance of every amenity and fixture counts. Creating a sterile, sanitary environment is important, but so is making sure rooms and hallways have a welcoming feel. Most modern commercial door systems feature not only attractive colors and designs, but they also are customizable. 

Facilities that have doors featuring fun characters, photographs, and other graphic images will have patients smiling much more often than hospitals that have less to show for the thousands of dollars collected through annual parent and donor contributions. Some high abuse doors can also be part of murals that engulf whole walls to create unique environments for the children who call the hospital home. As with the quality of childcare and treatment, the walls and doors surrounding these young patients have a significant impact on their comfort and quality of life. 

High-abuse doors and frames help create safe environments

The minds of residents and patients can be at ease when they’re behind closed doors, especially if those doors are designed to withstand high abuse. Regardless of whether that abuse is dished out by heavy-duty medical equipment, furniture, or any other threat to their safety and well-being, knowing the solid, durable door standing between them and the breaching element can provide a real sense of security. From the point of view of the building owner or operator, there is comforting in knowing that these doors are not as dangerous as those that splinter easily when exposed to intense impacts. 

For residents in assisted living communities who might already be feeling vulnerable because of their physical conditions, these doors can greatly improve their mental health. Residents can sleep soundly, knowing that entry to their rooms is protected by a door solid and secure enough to withstand any type of intrusion, accidental impact, or act of aggression.

Durable doors require less maintenance 

Investing in top quality doors for a facility means spending less in the long run. It is essential for facility owners to purchase doors that are specifically designed to withstand high abuse. The average commercial door typically needs to be replaced every few years, which means owners are forced to waste hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a decade just to maintain a clean-looking environment. Doors specifically designed to absorb the shock of gurneys, patient beds, and other medical equipment are much more practical investments. Because of their made-to-last design, these door frame systems will not expose the damage inflicted upon them—their edges won’t splinter at the slightest bump, their faces won’t scratch when exposed to misguided wheelchairs, and their frames won’t dent when impacted by moving furniture. Best of all, impact resistant door frame systems require less cleaning than average doors, because they are also resistant to bacteria and fungi, as well. 

When cleaning is necessary, the surfaces of these doors and frames are easy to simply wipe clean, as opposed to typical wooden doors, which require much more care, since liquids can seep into the wood fiber and leave stains. More door and door frame companies are designing and engineering systems that are built for abuse, but also contain smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces that can maintain their appeal over time. 

High impact doors are ideal for any healthcare facility for countless reasons and now, with modern technology, patients and residents no longer have to suffer as if trapped in a high security prison with little chance of release. Colors, patterns, and durability have redefined the experiences of patients and residents in medical facilities across the world.

Paul Snyder is the General Manager for the Acrovyn Door division at Construction Specialties. He can be reached at psnyder@c-sgroup.com.