While adding usability to new trends, the latest pandemic has sped up many existing trends in healthcare furniture. Furniture needs to be durable and safe yet also comforting, providing a homelike artistic and functional aesthetic. In addition, a good piece of furniture should enhance the overall ambiance of the office or hospital room. Providing comfort and support to the patients while promoting communication, organization, safety, and efficiency is a desirable goal in office furniture.
Providing healthcare workers with comfortable workstations and resting areas is an essential part of their work. Providing high-grade furniture that is both safe and durable is necessary to reduce fatigue and improve productivity. Providing comfortable seating is a good business practice and a necessity for patients who are receiving care. Patients who experience pain or discomfort while waiting or recuperating should have access to furniture that allows correct posture and proper rest.
Providing a safe and functional environment is crucial to the well-being of staff members and patients alike. By providing high-quality, durable, and ergonomic healthcare furniture, a facility can maintain a consistent and orderly environment conducive to healing. A well-designed and long-lasting piece of healthcare furniture needs to be able to withstand heavy loads and frequent use. The needs of a healthcare facility change from time to time, so the needs of its employees need to keep pace as well.
Comfort and cleanability are essential for the convenience of patients while they wait for long periods. Providing consistent patient care requires healthcare workers to move freely without concern for the safety of the furnishings they are sitting on. Healthcare employees spend much of their day driving around, standing, and modeling. Combining these movements and repetitive movements contributes to poor posture and lack of back and neck pain. Healthcare facilities can maintain consistent patient care and improve work procedures by investing in ergonomically designed seating.
Cleanliness and comfort are vital for avoiding slips and falls on beds and other bedding. Seating that is too large or too small can lead to discomfort for patients and guests. Ergonomically designed healthcare furniture needs to be durable enough to resist heavy daily use. Additionally, the upholstery needs to be durable sufficient to provide comfort and be easy to clean.
Furniture in a healthcare facility is constantly exposed to a variety of environmental conditions. As a result, dampness, dirt, and grime can collect on a variety of surfaces. To reduce the amount of dust, dirt, and bacteria, healthcare workers should be provided with adequately sealed and cleaned restroom doors and seats. Proper lighting and efficient ventilation also contribute to keeping the rooms warm and comfortable for patients and guests.
Office furniture compliance is necessary for any healthcare facility. According to the Americans Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Office Furniture Guidelines, each piece of equipment should be tested for breakage, functionality, and resilience-based on expected usage. This helps healthcare facilities ensure that they adhere to established safety standards by evaluating breakage rates, functionality, and resilience. For example, a healthcare facility’s breakage rate is based on the expected number of calls and patient visits per day. Likewise, a piece of furniture’s strength is determined based on the type and amount of use. For example, breakage rates are generally lower for chairs and tables than for couches or sleep quarters.
When buying healthcare furniture or when selecting furnishings for a new or ongoing facility, make sure to keep these factors in mind. Whether your facility has adult or child care units, you want each space to provide social distancing between patients. When choosing furniture for such a space, consider the size, function, and design. Be sure the products are certified by the Safe Drinking Age Act. The products you choose should also provide comfort for all ages and physical conditions, whether the patients require constant assistance or rest.
