|
|
Promoting Form, Function and Comfort in Healthcare Furnishings
Expansive urban medical centers and rural community hospitals have similar interests in interior furnishings. They favor comfortable, modern designs with upscale details akin to those often reflected at resorts.
Hospitals are employing home-style designs in front lobbies, waiting areas and patient rooms to create an atmosphere that is more inviting and relaxing to patients and visitors. An important sculptural element of the healing environment is fine furniture architecture.
Fine furniture components have come a long way. In previous years, interior design professionals had little to choose from when selecting fine furnishings for healthcare facilities. Their options were often plain and unappealing. Consequently, HDR Inc. of Omaha, Neb., decided to do something about it. The architectural and engineering firm opted to create an innovative line of healthcare furniture with David Edward, a Baltimore, Md.-based manufacturer of furniture for commercial installations.
To facilitate the undertaking, designers at HDR polled healthcare providers in May 2005 to discover their ideas for the most desirable features in healthcare furniture. The resulting survey, queried nursing staff, facility directors, hospital volunteers, patients and their family members.
An interesting discovery resulted from the research: Although there is a common desire to present a relaxed setting that caters to the needs of families, hospitals have diverse needs that require an array of solutions. So instead of using a single approach to furnishings, designers elected to offer a variety of options and finishes to accommodate the requirements of healthcare facilities large and small. Their selections included comfortable sleeping surfaces, functional, high-back chairs, user-friendly waiting room furnishings, and attractive, sturdy fabrics.
Relaxing Sleep Surfaces - Almost 50 percent of those surveyed by HDR indicated they like a comfortable sleep surface in patient rooms. Because of this—and the trend toward families staying as overnight guests—convertible sleeper furniture will be an important design choice. Options will include a three-seat sleeper that guests can easily use without staff assistance. Future components could include a double bed, to accommodate the growing number of parents that both stay overnight in pediatrics and maternity patient rooms.
Hospitals with patient rooms that are too small to allow for full sofas will require an alternate solution. For them, a sleeper chair or loveseat with arms that pull out to create a bed could be employed. In cases where resources are limited, this highly-mobile furniture could be shared between different rooms.
Modern, High-Back Chairs - A high-back chair was also a preference of survey respondents. They requested a modern design that addresses the shorter duration of patient stays and the fact that many patients are not able to walk during their stays. Patients often must be assisted out of bed to sit in a high-back chair that can be used for everything from elevating the legs and sleeping to eating and reading.
Several features were identified as essential by those surveyed, including a height of 19 inches, comfortable arm support with arms that can be removed or lowered, the ability to recline, and a tray or tablet top that can be used for daily activities. For medical reasons, the chair might have under-seat or below-arm storage to conceal drainage bags, an IV pole attachment or space to hold special equipment. And as a final requirement, the chair should be easy to clean if it becomes soiled with food, drink or bodily fluids.
Comfortable Waiting Room Furnishings – Waiting rooms often serve as a home away from home for families. Consequently, the most common request is for comfortable seating: recliners, lounge chairs, rockers and sofas. Other preferences call for game and/or dinner tables, entertainment units equipped with a TV, CD and DVD players, as well as computer tables with high-speed Internet access.
Attractive, Functional Fabrics – Furniture should contain moisture-resistant fabrics that repel liquid on the surface while providing more softness than conventional vinyl. New vinyl upholstery is available in patterns that are more attractive than the traditional solids and prints, giving designers the ability to choose upscale selections to provide a sophisticated look.
A wide range of frame finishes will be offered, from wood and metal to acrylic. Rubber can even be used to allow chairs and walls to better endure getting bumped and banged. Durable casters wheels that lock help to enhance the chair’s safety and ease of movement. All furniture pieces must be able to accommodate at least 350 to 400 pounds.
A Variety of Needs - Needs vary from hospital to hospital. For instance, stationary furniture might work fine for a larger healthcare facility, while a smaller hospital might need pieces that can easily be moved from room to room. Designers can help facilities meet their functional needs while providing comfort and sophistication. Healthcare furniture should make patients and their families want to put their feet up and relax—which can go a long way in promoting a healing environment.
This article was reproduced for educational purposes from the October 2006 Healthcare Building Ideas article entitled “Healthcare Furniture Should Provide Comfort, Function, Style” by Doris Witte, a senior interior designer with HDR Inc. of Omaha, Neb.
|