Your choice of flooring will have a profound impact on the health and safety of any space, particularly in healthcare settings where many residents may be vulnerable in some way. Not only do you need floors that are made from high quality materials, they need to be specifically designed to suit the unique challenges they will face. If you need quality healthcare flooring keep the following factors in mind.
Maintaining a high standard of hygiene is vital in any healthcare setting and the right flooring is a must. Flooring materials designed to be impervious to water are a fantastic choice as not only will they prevent bacteria, mould or mildew from developing; they are also easy to keep clean. Keeping the air quality healthy is similarly vital; with the best flooring solutions being those that are PVC-VOC free as well as those that won’t trap particles of skin, dust, dirt or other pollutants.
Any area of a healthcare setting that could potentially get wet (such as bathrooms, kitchens, foyers and even corridors) should be designed to minimise the chance of slippage, and nowadays you can have non-slip treatments applied to anything from polished concrete to vinyl to laminate. However, dry areas need to be designed for maximum traction too, with carpet, rubber and cork all good options for these locations.
Many healthcare patients have less than perfect vision while others may be on medication that affects their depth perception, this can make it difficult for them to navigate their facility safely. Flooring with strong patterns and bright colours can help to clearly define potential hazards and obstacles, such as steps and edges, helping to ensure that everyone from vulnerable patients to busy staff stay as safe as possible at all times.
Unfortunately, even the best laid plans can’t always prevent accidents from taking place, but investing in flooring that has a little extra padding and support will mean those inevitable slips, trips and falls will be a lot less damaging. Carpet, cork and rubber are all wonderful options, because apart from providing extra protection against injury they will also help to reduce fatigue in staff members who are on their feet all day.
Even the best quality flooring is only as good as the person who installs it, making professional installation a must in any healthcare setting. A professional installer won’t just ensure that those floors are laid properly; they will get the job done quickly and therefore minimize the chance of a potentially dangerous disruption. It is also vital that the installer themselves can be trusted because many healthcare residents are extremely vulnerable, so don’t take a risk on anyone other than a qualified installer with proof of references and any relevant security clearances.
For professional advice on flooring options for your healthcare facility, talk to the experts at Aussie Flooring Insights. We have the skills, knowledge and experience to ensure that your facility has quality flooring that your residents and staff can rely on.
Aussie Commercial Flooring Insights is one of Australia’s largest commercial flooring contractors. We are committed to providing flooring solutions that will enhance built environments for end users as well as delivering on the business needs of our clients across Australia.