Healthcare organizations focus on providing quality care and improving patients’ health outcomes. When designing a facility for patients, safety must be a top consideration. A one-size-fits-all approach will not work, as facilities treat different things. What works for an urgent care facility won’t be appropriate for a behavioral health center. However, the main goal when choosing furnishings is to ensure the selected pieces cannot be used to harm. What factors should a facility consider when purchasing furnishings?
Material Considerations
Behavioral health facility managers know not to invest in furnishings made with laminate, as the laminate can crack. When it does, a person might use it as a knife or other weapon, particularly when engaging in aggressive and repetitive behavior. However, a person in pain waiting in an emergency room might also get laminate and use it to harm someone when they are not in their right mind. They may be in pain or having a mental health crisis and will use anything they can find as a weapon. Choose Arcadian furniture to avoid these issues.
Vinyl is another material inappropriate for healthcare facilities. A person can shred it or use it as a noose. Choosing tightly woven textiles that cannot be shredded easily is best.
Weighting furnishings can prevent them from being used as weapons. However, housekeeping must ensure the furnishings are cleaned for a safe and hygienic environment. Weighted furnishings must allow for thorough cleaning of an area.
Mental Health Concerns
People who visit a doctor or healthcare facility are often in pain or don’t feel well. Their surroundings can make them feel worse, mainly if the furnishings are depressing. For example, brown molded plastic chairs aren’t appealing to individuals when they feel well. When they are sick, the furnishings can lower their spirits. Facility managers need to choose pieces that are safe and uplifting. The right furnishings provide comfort during difficult times.
Changing the Way We Think
Interior designers often focus on function when working with healthcare facilities. They usually forget that the furnishings should have aesthetic appeal. To avoid falling into this trap, consider each space in the facility individually, determining the needs of those using the space and how furnishings can fill these needs. Furniture choices need to fit into the big picture effortlessly so the focus can remain on caring for patients.
Safety Considerations
When choosing these pieces, look at the construction of each. Tamper-resistant screws are essential, and steel is a better choice than wood. High-density urethane should be selected when it is an option.
Look at the overall piece. How could it be used to harm someone? While all scenarios can be predicted, facility managers can often identify potential problems before they occur and take measures to prevent them. For example, they should choose furnishings without legs, as the legs could be used to do harm. Tables can be picked up and thrown at someone. These elements should be considered when purchasing furniture for a healthcare center.
Safety and durability should always be the top concerns when choosing furnishings for a healthcare facility. Once they have been addressed, facility managers should consider other aspects of the pieces. The color and texture of the furnishings should be pleasing to patients and their family members. More healthcare organizations are realizing the importance of these aspects when it comes to their furnishings, which is seen in how patients respond when visiting these buildings. They are happier and ready to receive care.