Page 23 - SFHN Dec 2020

HEALTHCARE REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION, DESIGN & FACILITY PLANNING

Nooks, Crannies, Crevices & Coronavirus: Infection Control in EDs

With infected patients keeping our clients them to promote health and well- ures in hospital spaces, patient, staff and
seeking emergency care at informed about the latest being—especially in public-facing spaces family safety, along with the management
hospitals due to the global to hit the market—espe- such as reception and waiting areas. If we of HAIs, has always been at the forefront
COVID-19 outbreak, now cially products that facili- want to dress up an area using wall cov- of Gresham Smith’s healthcare design
more than ever, rigorous tate long-term infection erings, for example, we first determine practices.
infection control measures control. their “disinfectability” and that they are And whether it be an emergency
need to be incorporated into One such product is a bleach-cleanable, which not only helps department, a hospital or a medical office
high-risk clinical areas such Clean Corner System by us meet the guidelines needed for infec- building, every project represents an
as emergency departments. Gerflor USA that deliv- tion control but also minimizes an insti- opportunity for us to think ahead in
At Gresham Smith, we spe- ers—just as it indicates— tutional feeling in the space. terms of infection control and how each
cialize in healthcare design, a clean floor at all angles, end-user is ultimately going to utilize a
including hospital emer- even in hard-to-reach A Solid Solution: Countertops space—especially in the future in terms
gency departments and free- BY MARIA SANCHEZ, internal corners, provid- High-touch surfaces such as counter- of growth.
standing emergency depart- NCIDQ, IIDA, ing excellent hygiene and tops are an ideal site for cross-contami- With the advent of COVID-19, I can
ments. In this post, I explore LEED AP making it another good nation. That is why we typically specify foresee a day when health systems will
how our interior designers choice for ED applica- solid surface or quartz countertops in apply the infection control standards of
approach infection control in tions. EDs, as they are devoid of the pores and an ED to a less critical facility such as a
EDs, highlighting some best practices for As ED corridors are heavily trafficked seams commonly found in surfaces such medical office building. These standards
the incorporation of surface finishes—a and subject to extensive wear and tear, as plastic laminate. In fact, studies have may even transcend the healthcare set-
key design feature that minimizes the we typically recommend a homogeneous shown that the coronavirus can live on ting and cross over to places such as
transmission of infection, creating a safer sheet vinyl floor surface because of its plastic laminate countertops for up to 36 schools, shopping malls and restaurants,
physical environment for patients, family durability and ability to wear evenly. hours. as we look for ways to keep our popula-
members and clinical staff alike. Made of a single layer, this no-wax Simply put, solid surface and quartz tions safe during the greatest healthcare
The interior design of a healthcare option is easy to install, stain-resistant, are more hygienic, although they can challenge in more than 100 years.
facility can greatly influence the trans- and holds up well against the harsh come with a higher price tag than other And it’s not too much of a stretch to
mission of healthcare-associated infec- chemicals necessary to kill pathogens surfaces of a more permeable nature. think that the lessons we’ve learned as
tions (HAIs), with any nooks, crannies without significant corrosion. And that However, clients are budgeting for infec- healthcare designers may serve us well in
or crevices serving as potential reservoirs all equals a longer shelf-life and less tion control a lot more these days. terms of hope, as the world navigates
for bacterial growth and viruses like maintenance for staff. uncharted territory in search of solu-
COVID-19, making it difficult for staff to It’s important to note that although Crossing the Finish Line tions.
disinfect these hidden places. sheet vinyl flooring has fewer seams, it Although the coronavirus pandemic
For this reason, floor finishes, which typically has a seam every 78 inches. has highlighted the need for amped-up Maria Sanchez is an interior designer in
are likely to come into direct contact Therefore, we make sure each seam is infection prevention and control meas- Gresham Smith’s Miami Healthcare studio.
with bloodborne patho gens or other heat-welded so it becomes flush with the
body fluids, are a part of an emergency flooring and prevents mold and bacteria
department’s overall infection control from growing within the seams.
risk management strategy. Therefore,
floors in resuscitation rooms and treat- Durability and Resilience:
ment bays should be surfaced with Wall Surfaces
resilient, smooth and impervious materi- We are also extremely mindful of the
als that are corrosion-resistant and easy wall treatments that we include in EDs.
to clean. For example, incorporating impact wall
To eliminate the seam where the floor- protection is an important design appli-
ing meets the wall—a hot spot where cation in high-traffic areas such as emer-
hazardous bacteria and mold often gency department treatment bays, as
lurk—we typically recommend that our carts and equipment coming in and out
clients incorporate an integral cove base of the space often bump and nick into
system into the design. Waterproof and the walls.
antifungal, integral cove bases eliminate Without this type of protection, bacte-
the 90-degree angle between the floor ria can hide in any damaged areas.
and the wall, promoting a sterile envi- Nonporous in nature, impact wall pro-
ronment while facilitating ease of main- tection is durable, resilient and water-
tenance for staff. resistant, making it easier to clean and
In response to the coronavirus pan- less susceptible to pathogen contamina-
demic and the need for heightened infec- tion.
tion control, new products are being Of course, materials used in an ED also
developed for hospital spaces, and we’re need to have an aesthetic that allows

Subscribe to... Healing environments. Inspired design.

In practice since 1915, we know that exceptional healthcare design
SOUTH FLORIDA HOSPITAL NEWS & optimizes clinical operations, healthcare delivery, and capital resource
management. We apply evidence-based design and research to create
HEALTHCARE REPORT today! patient-focused environments that meet strategic goals, maximize
budget, streamline operations, and adapt to tomorrow’s needs. With
Subscribe online at ]IEVW MR 7SYXL *PSVMHE SYV JYPP WIVZMGI ETTVSEGL WXVIWWIW E ƼREP
TVSHYGX XLEX MW EJJSVHEFPI WYWXEMREFPI ERH IƾGMIRX
www.southfloridahospitalnews.com

or call 561-368-6950 800 N.W. 62nd Ave, Suite 100, Miami, FL 33126

leoadaly.com

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com December 2020 23