Furniture chairs have a crucial role in patient comfort and functionality within healthcare settings. Hospitals must prioritize these chairs for optimal patient outcomes and a productive work environment for healthcare professionals.
Wards in particular are busy environments with patients, visitors and staff coming in and out all day and night. To meet these demands, a robust furniture chair with a number of essential features is required.
Ergonomic Design
A hospital is a unique environment in that it contains various different areas where chairs are needed. For example, there are consultation rooms, cafeterias, and wards. Hospitals need chairs that are designed for each of these environments and that offer specific types of support for patients, doctors and visitors.
For example, clinical chairs need to be able to accommodate medical procedures such as x-rays or blood tests. These require precise positioning and accurate adjustment, so hospital doctors can perform their tasks with maximum precision and safety. Clinical chairs come with a wide range of adjustments to suit the needs of each procedure, making it easy for healthcare professionals to adjust their seating position and provide optimal comfort to patients during these vital examinations.
Hospital waiting rooms need to be able to deal with high footfall and patient traffic at all times of the day and night. For this reason, they need robust and durable hospital chairs that are easy to clean and maintain. Hospital waiting room chairs like the Hamilton patient chair are designed with these requirements in mind, and feature a strong wooden frame with armrest pads and a standard high back which offers exceptional lumbar support.
Hospital cafeterias also need to be able to accommodate the highest levels of visitor and staff footfall. For this reason, they need chairs which can be easily stacked and which have a wipeable surface. Hospital cafeteria chairs such as the Hille Apero are a good option, with a stylish chrome or black frame and easy-to-clean polypropylene seats.
Pressure Redistribution
A vital feature of a hospital chair is its ability to redistribute weight across the seat and back, preventing pressure build-up. This ensures that individuals of all sizes can comfortably sit for long periods of time and reduces the risk of pressure sores. A chair with a backrest that is slightly angled can help with this too.
An important aspect of hospital seating is that it is designed to be hygienic. Features such as a hygiene gap between the backrest and seat, a wipe-clean surface and minimal crevices all contribute to a cleaner environment and lower infection risks. Alternatively, chairs with armrests that can be removed or flipped up when not in use are also ideal for reducing contamination risk.
Canteen and cafeteria chairs must be tough enough to withstand the daily wear and tear of the busy healthcare setting. Often, they must also be able to be wiped down and cleaned easily between meals. A chair such as the Plyform cafe seat offers both of these qualities, with a sturdy chrome or black frame and a simple wipe-clean plyform veneer shell. It is ideal for hospital cafeterias where it can be stacked up to eight chairs high, and is backed by a three-year warranty.
Patient chairs are a must-have for many healthcare environments, including consultation rooms and recovery spaces. A reclining chair can be particularly useful in this space as it allows the patient to move in and out of the chair, which is a significant advantage over a standard chair that remains seated for prolonged periods of time. The Hamilton range of patient chairs is a popular option for consultation rooms, with a solid hardwood frame and the choice to upholster them in antimicrobial fabric or healthcare vinyl.
Mobility and Accessibility
There are different hospital chair options available depending on the needs of your patients. For example, inpatient wards require chairs that can easily be moved around for cleaning and access to other areas. Hospital chairs are often designed with specific features, such as being designed to provide enhanced mobility, ensuring patients can move more freely and comfortably during their recovery. Electric hospital chairs offer a level of independence for patients and help them to move more easily than would be possible in bed, helping to prevent pressure sores.
Similarly, the seating for a hospital cafeteria or canteen should be robust and easy to clean. The Hille Apero range of cafe furniture is ideal for high-traffic hospital dining areas, with tough chrome, black or white frames and wipe-clean polypropylene seats. A range of armrests are also included for comfort and ease-of-use.
For hospitals that are looking for a more relaxed seating solution, there is the Kind beam seating range, which features richly-upholstered seats in healthcare-standard vinyls. This can be finished in a wide choice of premium, fire-retardant fabrics or antimicrobial surfaces that protect against bacteria and germs.
Hospital chairs are not just about assisting with postural support for patients; they can also be used as a way to provide extra support and comfort for family members waiting in a hospital waiting room. Many hospitals have designated family seating areas, which require chairs that can offer comfortable, supportive seating for relatives for long periods of time. This can help improve patient experience and make them feel cared for.
Infection Control Properties
Unhygienic hospital furniture can be a breeding ground for germs, increasing the risk of HAIs. For this reason, hospitals should aim to use hygienic, easy-to-clean materials such as stainless steel and antimicrobial coatings. Choosing durable fabrics that can be easily cleaned and disinfected is also important, as it reduces the cost of replacing damaged or stained upholstery.
When choosing healthcare chairs for consultation rooms, look for a design that is robust enough to withstand regular use by a wide range of people. Consideration should also be given to the size of the chair and whether it will need to accommodate users with limited mobility. If the chair will be used by children, a dedicated nursery design is a good choice as it can withstand the rigours of frequent use by toddlers and small children.
The Dalton range of healthcare chairs is ideal for hospital consultation rooms, and is made right here in the UK. The ergonomically-designed backrest provides superb lumbar support, and the seat pad is designed with a waterfall edge that reduces pressure on the legs. Upholstery is available in premium treated fabrics or antimicrobial healthcare vinyls. A hygiene gap is also included to prevent the accumulation of bacteria, dust and dirt on contact surfaces. This feature also makes the chairs more resistant to staining and scuff marks.
Comfort and Functionality
In busy hospital environments, it is common for patients, visitors and staff to spend significant periods of time in waiting areas. Therefore, comfortable and versatile seating is important in order to maintain comfort for everyone.
Chairs for hospital waiting rooms need to be practical, with simple design and high hygiene properties to help prevent the spread of pathogens. Modular designs that allow the seats and backs to be removed from the frame are particularly useful for quick and easy cleaning. Fabrics such as vinyl or faux leather are also ideal, as they can be wiped clean with disinfectants without any internal areas for bacteria to hide.
Modern hospital cafeterias are often more like relaxed dining venues on the high street than traditional hospital restaurants – and that’s why it’s important to provide seating that is comfortable enough for extended use, with a stylish finish and healthcare-standard fabrics. Chairs such as the Kind Beam Seating, made here in the UK, offer a luxury feel and can be upholstered in a choice of premium, fire-retardant fabrics or healthcare-standard vinyls.
Intensive care wards are often more crowded than other parts of the hospital, and the chairs that are used here need to be extremely functional and easy to move around. A range of electric mobility functions, such as converting the chair into a lie-flat position, makes it easier for staff to carry out transfers from bed to chair and minimises moving and handling risks.
Durability and Safety
Hospital furniture chairs must be able to withstand heavy use and frequent cleaning, making durability an important feature. Chairs with sturdy frames, reinforced joints, and stain-resistant fabrics can easily withstand the wear and tear of regular use. This helps prolong their lifespan and reduces the frequency of replacements, ultimately saving money in the long run.
Another essential feature is infection control properties. As healthcare environments are prone to the spread of pathogens, chair materials with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties can help prevent the transmission of harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. Furthermore, chair designs with seamless surfaces and removable cushions that can be easily disinfected minimize the risk of cross-contamination.
Aesthetics are also a consideration, especially in hospital waiting rooms where chairs often sit for lengthy periods of time. Chairs with a modern, attractive design can enhance the overall aesthetic of the room, creating a calming environment for patients and their loved ones.
Finally, medical chairs should have a large clean-out space between the seat and back to minimize catch points for bacterial growth and bedbug infestation. This allows cleaning staff to wipe down the upholstery with ease, ensuring it is completely cleaned and disinfected. This can significantly improve the hygiene of your hospital and ensure that harmful pathogens are not spread between patients or between chairs.