When hospitals have to tackle countless emergencies and debilitating illnesses every day, the importance of doors and entrance systems might fade into the background of matters of life and death. However, hospitals are not just places where patients and doctors interact, but they’re active ecosystems where every detail can hamper or improve the process of healing.
Thanks to a growing body of research about the link between smart hospital design and excellent medical outcomes, interiors of healthcare facilities are no longer an afterthought. For the reasons highlighted below, the impact of doors and entrance systems on the day-to-day life in hospitals and public health is immeasurable.
Hygiene to Fight Hospital-acquired Infections
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) continue to plague the health systems, straining the resources, and costing lives. Even in an advanced economy like the United States alone, every year, nearly 100,000 people die of these. In addition to these preventable deaths, HAIs cost up to USD 45 billion a year.
While HAIs are a complex phenomenon, the medical community believes it’s a “winnable battle” to control the viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens that cause them.
Everyone touches a door. But antibacterial or no-touch doors are among the ways to stop the life-threatening HAIs from spreading.
Efficient Access to Save Lives
When a medical emergency occurs, minutes or even seconds can be a matter of life and death. Thus, cumbersome and undependable entrance systems might determine how much time the hospital staff have to save the patient’s life.
For the medical staff, life in a hospital is a fast-paced one. From housekeepers to surgeons, working in healthcare requires constant movement to attend to a diverse range of needs. One study found that some doctors spend 7 percent of their time walking from one room to another.
Without efficient entry systems, accessing different parts of a healthcare facility can be an immense burden on the staff. However, convenient access solutions help all hospital workers to focus on what matters most.
Accessibility to Include Everyone
Over the last several decades, the global debate on disability made leaps and bounds: Many parts of the world made dramatic progress in improving access and inclusion for persons with disabilities. While no country or city reached perfection, healthcare facilities must be even more mindful of issues of access.
High-tech access solutions such as tactile knobs and levers to assist the visually-impaired patients, or full-clear opening hinges to provide safe and clear passage can help hospitals to include everyone.
Privacy and Security
Doors of a healthcare facility are one of the first impressions patients get when they enter one. Hence, to boost the morale and feeling of being at the right hands, doors and entrance systems must exude reliability and security.
When people spend time in hospitals, they’re often at their most vulnerable. Especially for those who are having an extended stay, security and privacy are vital elements of maintaining human dignity.
While cutting-edge entrance systems might not relieve some of the difficulties patients are experiencing, they can make significant contributions to the quality of day-to-day life in hospitals.
