Prevention of infection is a top priority in hospitals today. Training is mandatory throughout the hospital to educate staff on the importance of hand and room cleaning to prevent the spread of infections. Manufactures are working with infection preventionists to offer products that address cleanliness and ease of cleaning. The research is clear. Environmental and hospital surface contamination can play a vital role in the transmission of pathogens that can cause those visiting a hospital, to be exposed to C diff bacteria or other pathogens, complicating the stay making them even sicker.
The surfaces in a hospital must accommodate everyone who encounters them, patients, guests, and staff. They should be healthy, safe, durable and look good. The longer a product, such as furniture, can maintain those attributes, the more sustainable and cost effective the surfaces are. Healthcare surfaces are touched by everyone in a hospital lobby or a doctor’s waiting room. Solid surfaces that do not scuff, scratch or mar are the preferred surfaces in any healthcare setting. Healthcare furniture surfaces that can be easily cleaned and disinfected with bleach and maintain their good looks are even better.
Due to the nationwide plea to improve environmental health and sustainability in the healthcare sector, Kwalu has joined forces with the Healthier Hospitals Initiative to keep up with state of the industry environmental and health concerns. Architect firms and designers have moved away from products containing vinyl as they can be harmful to the environment and harmful to patients. They are looking to alternatives that deliver environmental benefits, but with minimal health risks. Kwalu’s new PVC-Free seating options for healthcare is a move to an even safer alternative for healthier hospitals. We want to give our customers a choice to choose furnishings without added chemicals to alleviate the need to worry about serious health risks.