Ergonomics and its impact on the hospital furniture market

How does ergonomics affect the hospital furniture industry? 

Hospital furniture presumably caters to hundreds of patients and the staff and its relevance in the user’s life is undoubtedly very imperative. From beds provided in the hospital rooms, general wards to the ones in the operation theatres or surgical rooms are expected to be of the best quality that is reliable, sturdy and provides utmost comfort to the patients. Besides the comfort factors, it is crucial that hospital furniture substantially support the health care employees to perform their daily duties. 

Taking care of patients that includes shifting and elevating frequently affects the caregivers in the long run, and the chances of them ruining their physical health while in the job is quite high. Hence, the significance of ergonomics is becoming quite relevant in this sector, and the healthcare industry is striving towards a renewed trend in seeking the furniture designs that comply with ergonomics. Please continue reading to gather insights on what makes ergonomics so pertinent in the hospital furniture industry and their changing impacts on the market.

Ergonomics’ relevance in the hospital furniture design 

Nursing homes, laboratories or clinics, hospital furniture, do play a significant part in affecting the overall image of the institution. Studies have also proven that patients recupere better when they are surrounded by the proper combination of furniture and decors in their hospital rooms. Ease of patient handling, shifting as well as lifting the patients are the significant advantages of having ergonomic hospital furniture and perhaps the significant factors affecting the purchasing trends across the country.

Economic trend in the hospital furniture sector

The furniture industry is making tremendous progress in the country with a growth rate of 11percent every year. An online and corporate contribution has been quite significant for the industry’s growth in the past few years. The hospital furniture and health care sectors are the most prominent contributors to the overall furniture industry revenue. An expected investment of 200 million USD dollars in medical infrastructure is also on the line by 2024. The increment in the tax holidays and tax benefits extensions has increased the investments on hospitals in the rural areas that in turn have boosted the infrastructure investment.

Ergonomics and its impact on the hospital furniture industry

User experience is the primary factor that drives any industry. The hospital furniture industry is no different. The growing demand for hospital furniture has also given rise to the need for ergonomic designs that take into consideration the comfort level of users with the equipment. These designs primarily focus on the wellbeing of patients as well as that of hospital staff. The fitness clubs and wellness centres have been increasingly relying on ergonomic designs to enhance customer retention and improve rejuvenation services.

Significant aspects to be considered 

The functionality of furniture is an important aspect to be considered while purchasing hospital furniture for healthcare facilities. The multiple departments in the hospitals such as bariatric, geriatrics and paediatrics have various requirements. Designs based on their needs and comforts play a significant role in deciding the type of furniture to be invested. Appropriate furniture must be chosen so that no acquired infections are transmitted.

Cost-effective, environment friendly and family-friendly furniture are other factors that contribute to the selection of proper furniture in hospitals. Inter usability features are also to be considered for a hospital scenario as the departments may switch hospital furniture for better usability.

Read Also: All about examination couches

All about examination couches

An overview of the Examination couches 

Examination couches are perhaps the most notable pieces of furniture when one visits a hospital. These couches are found in the doctor’s office where patients are either made to sit or lay down for examination. The examination couches can be adjusted to support the patients and to have a closer inspection of patients. Various advancements over the years have brought about significant changes in the models of examination couches. From manual to power-operated, examination couches of different models are readily available in the market, and hospitals take utmost care in investing in the best furniture. Hospitals and clinics tend to spend on the furniture that looks and feels sophisticated as people often judge the quality of the hospital services by observing the styles of furniture in the clinic. Learn more about examination couches and the types available.

Examination couch for clinics

Advancement in healthcare and related services are increasingly emphasizing on enhancing the aesthetics of the facilities. Elegant and sophisticated furniture in healthcare facilities ensures the patients that the hospitals are good with their services too. Nevertheless, the hospitals willing to invest in a quality product are also likely to produce quality services as well.

Examination couches in clinics are typically found in the doctor’s consultation room. An excellent couch is expected to be washable, adjustable, hygienic, and stain-resistant. Few clinics offer paper rolls spread on the couches to avoid fluids staining them, which are removed once the consultation is over. The patients are either made to sit or lie, depending on the treatment they are about to receive. Though the examination couches serve a common purpose, different treatments require different types of examination tables. Read on to understand the kind of examination couch that is best suitable for your consultations.

What makes an examination couch the best? 

An examination couch for clinic differs extensively for different kinds of treatment, and this is also a significant factor that must be considered while purchasing the examination couches. Three categorizations of examination couches available are standard, combination and hi-low table. All these classifications have specific purposes that adequately benefit the treatments.

Standard examination couches

Mostly available in the doctor’s clinics and large hospitals, Standard examination couch for clinics is one of the most consumed products that cater to a variety of patients. The sturdy and padded support gives adequate support to the patients along with a comfortable resting surface. These examination tables do not come with additional features as compared to other tables.

Combination tables

An ideal combination of treatment and examination table, combination tables are customizable tables where patients can add armrests and footrests. These couches are the most preferred format of tables that are used in emergency rooms as well, due to their utility and durability.

Hi-low examination couches

Fantastic usability allows the hi-low examination tables to move the patients vertically. The couches can also be raised and lowered smoothly, with both manual and power operated gas spring systems. The flexibility of these models makes it ideal to transfer patients who are elderly or disabled.

Read Also: Essential features of ICU beds

Essential features of ICU beds

Specifications of ICU beds

Intensive care units (ICUs) are the distinctive units in hospitals where critically ill patients are treated. ICU patients are under the constant monitoring of at least two nurses and would be mostly under full support and require high dependency care. These speciality rooms are mostly equipped with specialized equipment such as ventilators, bedside monitors, defibrillators, CPAP and BPAP systems. The mention of speciality is not complete without the description of the furniture used in the room. The ICU beds are an essential piece of furniture that complies with various standards and specifications of an ICU. Understand the important features and specifications required of ICU beds.

Essential features of ICU beds

 

Since ICU beds serve many vital functions, the buyers need to check on the following four critical features that comply with the requirements inside the ICU rooms. Prominent ICU bed suppliers in Chennai adheres to these features while supplying the products to the hospitals.

CPR release

CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is one of the occasional emergencies that occur in an ICU. The necessity is so relevant that hospital staff welcome the addition of CPR release in ICU beds. Today, most of the ICU beds are provided with a button or lever that needs to be pushed when a CPR need arises. On the push of a button, the bed flattens, making it easier for the staff to perform CPR.

IV poles with multiple hooks

IV poles are the inevitable addition to the ICUs without a doubt. Most of the patients are administered multiple medications via drips. Hence, the requirement of IV poles with numerous hooks is a welcome addition to the ICU beds. Similarly, the efficacy of an attached IV pole with the ICU beds is significantly felt while the patients are transferred for emergencies. Moving the beds and the independent IV poles would be a hassle during emergency transfer. A conjoined IV pole also eliminates the risk of disrupting the IV supply.

Removable headrest and footboards

A removable head and footboards in ICU beds aid for easy removal of the headrests whenever the patient needs support in breathing. This facilitates the staff to easily remove the headboard and free up space to perform prone positioning. The position involves turning the patient upside down. Prone positioning at intermittent times can immensely improve acute respiratory syndrome.

These are essential too

Nurse’s control

ICU patients typically require intense care while in the unit. Dedicated nurses are often assigned to more vulnerable patients. The electrical ICU beds are provided with patient controls in the side rails. Nurses could control these patient controls through a nurse handset or controls that are built on the footboard of the ICU bed base. The controls enable the nurses to monitor patients in case of assistance. Bed accessories provided with the beds allow the nurses to check on the weight for patients who can hardly sit or stand.

ICU bed specifications

Specifications for ICU beds differ from countries to countries. According to the Department of Health and Social care, the ICU beds are expected to be electric and should also provide the Trendelenberg positioning or cardiac chair provisions. Pressure-relieving mattresses are another specification required of ICU beds. ICU bed suppliers in Chennai strictly comply with all these specifications while meeting orders across hospitals.

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