Stepping into any hospital and you are likely to find a mixture of ward furniture from a growing number of NHS contract approved suppliers (Such as ourselves). But hospitals are more nuanced now, with wellbeing and cleanliness are at the heart of it. The latest hospitals are furnished with separate rooms with ensuite facilities with new ward furniture, including patient seating throughout. What do you need to consider when selecting patient furniture for your hospital? Read on to find out!
Good cleaning
Infection control is the responsibility of everyone who comes into contact with the NHS – from visitors to doctors and nurses. Healthcare associated infections remain a high priority. Action for non-conformities will involve specialist inspectors and hard new controls to review, examine and intercede where hospitals are not meeting hygiene control standards. Therefore, infection control people play an important role in influencing those involved in the procurement of furniture for hospitals
To tackle infections, surfaces and furniture need to be and easily cleaned. Wood finishes need to be wrapped using a high quality clear polish, which is not only durable but incorporates antimicrobial properties that defeat micro-organisms.
The battle against infection means that ward furniture fabric choice also plays an important part. Vinyls are perfect in hospital environments, with their anti-microbial and anti-fungal protection that prohibits progress of bacteria and related odours, infection and cross-contamination.
Vinyl fabric does not absorb spills and is simply wiped clean, making it ideal for use in infection control. Regular cleaning with warm soapy water is adequate to retain the fabric’s look and resilience.
Bariatrics
Many hospitals do not have bariatric policies in place. This is important process as it helps to manage manual handling risks when dealing with bariatric patients. Specialist bariatric seating, designed to handle patients up to 300 kg is available with adjustable arms and in a range of seat heights dependent on resident and carer needs. Integrated wheels allow large ward furniture to be relocated, without the need for manual handling. Pressure cushions help comfort and relieve pressure.
Pressure relief & comfort
Patient seating can be supplied in a number of pressure relieving seat grades, depending on the danger of tissue breakdown.
Sitting has been implicated as a primary cause of pressure ulcers with 75% of patient’s weight distributed over 8% of the body surface area.
Renray Healthcare has successfully implemented many chair replacement schemes at a number of NHS Trusts. Predominately supplying the Elite chair range which was designed using anthropometric data which highlights 13 critical dimensions to achieve good sitting posture. As standard the Elite chair is supplied with a pressure reducing seat cushion. The visco-elastic seat cushion helps in the treatment and management of pressure ulcers with frequent monitoring and repositioning.
• Impressive pressure reduction testing
• The 10° recline assists spinal alignment
• Option of a seat board (SB) to allow specialist cushions to be used
Other ranges available with pressure cushions are the Balero, Baroque, Prestige, Renray, Snowdon and other upholstered chair ranges on request.
Seat adjustment
Residents with variable posture, leg lengths and physical disabilities mean that a normal ward seat height may not be suitable to maintain comfort. Accessories such as height adjusters can deliver the answer, with adjustment in stages, allowing tailored seat heights.
Also, a detachable seat platform allows seat cushions to be interchanged for specific pressure reducing and can be used in with air cushions.
Removable seat bases allow soiled seats to be changed and cleaned to prevent and manage the spread of infection. Active cleaning solutions constantly need to be available and equipment shared with more than one patient should be.
For more information about our range of NHS approved products contact us here
