It’s no secret that healthcare facilities require a host of unique performance features in order to ensure that minimal disruption occurs through flooring maintenance or replacement.

Not only that, patients, staff and visitors at healthcare facilities expect a welcoming, safe and hygienic environment.

Flowcrete UK’s very own resident Dr Flowcrete offers a range of treatments to cure flooring ailments. See the infographic at www.flowcrete.co.uk/dr-flowcrete

So what should I consider when specifying flooring for healthcare environments?

Hygiene and the Spread of Disease
Not surprisingly, maintaining hygiene is imperative; eradicating the spread of harmful bacteria and diseases is of top priority.

In 2009, 3,933 UK death certificates mentioned C. diff, while in 2010, MRSA was quoted 961 times. What’s more, in June 2008, “superbugs” and cleanliness were ranked at 22% importance as an issue facing the NHS.

At ground level, bacteria such as C. diff, MRSA and others can be spread on foot from isolated rooms inhabited by infected patients, through corridors to wards, canteens, staff facilities and onwards.

Patient, Staff and Visitor Safety
Slips, trips and falls are a real problem. UK-based National Patient Safety Agency estimate that in an average 800-bed hospital trust, there will be around 24 falls every week – 1,260 per year.
Slips and trips in the UK cost the NHS around £130million per year and 900,000 bed nights across the nation – that’s a staggering 11 times more than the number of bed nights arising from car accidents.

Hospital Disruption
Ensuring that hospitals operate efficiently and provide care effectively can mean the difference between life and death. During scheduled maintenance and repair periods, wards, operating theatres and back-of-house areas are rendered idle meaning that vital care is compromised.

It’s essential that construction and maintenance schedules are kept to a minimum to reduce their impact on hospital operations.

Aesthetic Appeal and a Welcoming Environment
Visitors, staff and patients will be reassured by a pleasant, well maintained environment. It takes less than 90 seconds to make a first impression, while it’s estimated that 62-90% of a person’s first judgement of their surroundings is based on colour alone. If that first impression is based on cracked tiles, worn out linoleum or carpet and dirty joints between floor finishes, their view of the hospital will be impacted negatively and their trust in the level of care offered will be hampered.

For more on healthcare flooring from Dr Flowcrete, visit
www.flowcrete.co.uk/dr-flowcrete