Hospital Interior Design Trend – Increase in Demand for Patient Rooms
As the concept of social distancing emerged during the pandemic, concerns about common spaces have increased. Since FGI(Facility Guideline Institution) does not consider anteroom a requirement in order to prevent AII(Airborne Infection Isolation), designs with reduced common spaces or that allow for greater social distancing are becoming more appealing.
In addition, demand for single-occupancy patient rooms is increasing, and HVAC(Heating, Ventilation & Air-Conditioning) systems are being designed to enable fast isolation of areas. Creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere is important for patient room designs. This is because patients need to feel comfortable in their patient room as if they are at home or in a nice hotel, not confined and isolated. Ensuring safety is also essential because patient rooms are not directly monitored by the hospital staff 24/7.
LX Hausys have been providing innovative hospital interior design solutions to achieve the ultimate patient experience. Check out the UCSD medical center’s patient room case below and get inspirations for your own hospital interior project :
USCD Medical Center Designed by HIMACS Solid Surface Material
The innovative hospital interior design was challenging to execute as it called for fitting a hundred feet of data, electrical oxygen, vacuum and other medical gases into a compact package. Additionally, the complex curves throughout the headwall of the hospital had to fit precisely to meet stringent healthcare standards. Initially, the headwall was fabricated with plastic laminate but the compound, tapering radius meant achieving a smooth surface was impossible without adding seams.
The design and fabrication team used an intensive prototyping process to deliver the headwall as originally designed. Prototyping quickly revealed issues with detailing and materials. That is when Cannon Design and Shield Casework turned to HIMACS solid surface for its transformability and non-porous characteristics.
HIMACS solid surface material offers limitless design possibility
With the help of HIMACS solid surface’ transformability and seamless technology, Shield Casework was able to fabricate the surface material to fit the complex requirements and preserved the patient room’s headwall design. Shield simplified utility connections and worked through the complex build to meet the budget and design intent.
In addition, UCSD Medical center’s headwall is non-porous and seamless, making it easy to sanitize and resistant to the spread of pathogens. The team then designed and made custom outlet covers to meet the gentle slope of the headwall for a completely nonporous finish.
A space with many seams is difficult to maintain cleanly and therefore is not suitable for healthcare interior design. HIMACS solid surface material features seamless application, which creates a natural look without joints or crevices and leaves no space for bacterial growth. The seamless application ensures easy cleaning and helps maintain environments that are always hygienic.
The innovative UCSD hospital patient room design wins IDA Gold Award
This innovative patient room designed by HIMACS solid surface received an IDA Gold Award First Prize award in the Industrial and Life Science Design competition in the International Design Awards (IDA). IDA recognized how the headwall in the patient room united architecture, technology and the patient care workflow in one pioneering design.
This is owing to the unlimited design flexibility of HIMACS solid surface made possible by three-dimensional thermoforming process. HIMACS also has numerous color options and various patterns, which help create an environment that is visually soothing for patients and represents high-quality service.
HIMACS Solid Surface – The Ultimate Material for Hospital Designs
Clean and safe hospital environment thanks to HIMACS solid surface
A space with many seams is difficult to maintain cleanly and therefore is not suitable for healthcare facilities. HIMACS solid surface features seamless application, which creates a natural look without joints or crevices and leaves no space for bacterial growth. The seamless application ensures easy cleaning and helps maintain environments that are always hygienic.
EFA(Environmental for Aging) recommends the use of an impermeable solid surface even more after the COVID-19 outbreak for better hygiene. The non-porous Acrylic Solid Surface of HIMACS does not allow any water, dust, virus, bacteria, and chemicals to permeate and is therefore safe from HAI(Hospital Associated Infection).
What is more, indoor air is a medium for transferring numerous contaminants that may lead to secondary infection in the hospital. The selection of surface materials needs to be carefully considered to prevent the materials from releasing harmful substances to the air. HIMACS solid surface has been awarded the Greenguard Gold certificate proving its safety to be used for children who are the most sensitive to indoor air pollution, meaning it is also safe to use for healthcare facilities.
Cost effective qualities of HIMACS solid surface for hospital areas
Easy and fast cleaning means more than simple cleanliness in healthcare facilities. This leads to a better utilization rate of operating rooms and a reduced number of overall facility managing personnel, in turn affecting revenue and maintenance costs at the same time.
With HIMACS solid surface, even strong contaminants stay on top of the coated surface layer and can be easily removed. In addition, its seamless design provides healthcare environment that is easy to clean and helps maintain cleanliness.
Check out LX Hausys HIMACS solid surface collection and get inspirations for your hospital interior design project.