With over 35 million hospital admissions annually in the U.S., healthcare facility design significantly impacts patient experience and recovery. Flooring plays a critical role in creating safe, comfortable, and healing environments for hospitals, surgical centers and medical buildings. Flooring choices directly influence Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores, which affect hospital reputation and reimbursements.
Considerations for Healthcare Flooring Design:
- Reduce Slips, Trips, and Falls: One-third of patients fall during hospitalization, with 25-50% sustaining injuries. Flooring must minimize these risks, support wayfinding, and comply with safety guidelines, considering visual acuity for all users.
- Reduce Injuries from Falls: Falls cost healthcare systems significantly, averaging $62,521 per incident, with injuries deemed non-reimbursable “never-events” by CMS. Slip-resistant flooring reduces risks for patients and staff, minimizing injuries and legal costs.
- Reduce Noise Levels: Noise impacts patient sleep and anxiety, potentially lengthening hospital stays. HCAHPS surveys highlight quietness as key to patient satisfaction. Sound-absorbing flooring, like rubber tile, helps create restful environments.
- Reduce Staff Fatigue: Nurse fatigue correlates with errors and burnout. Cushioned flooring, such as luxury vinyl tile (LVT), reduces leg and back strain, enhancing staff well-being and patient care.
- Reduce Surface Contamination: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect over one million patients annually. Flooring must be easy to clean, chemical-resistant, and support infection control, as studies show floors can harbor pathogens like MRSA and C. diff.
- Improve Satisfaction: Aesthetically pleasing flooring with biophilic designs and soothing colors enhances patient and family perceptions of care quality, boosting HCAHPS scores and hospital revenue.
- Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Flooring impacts IAQ, critical for the 100 million Americans with allergies or asthma. Certifications like asthma & allergy friendly® and FloorScore ensure low VOC emissions, reducing health risks.
- Maximize ROI: Durable, low-maintenance flooring lowers lifecycle costs. Materials like rubber tile, sheet vinyl and LVT withstand heavy traffic, rolling loads, and rigorous cleaning protocols, meeting Facility Guidelines Institute standards.
Choosing the Right Flooring:
- Durability: Flooring must resist stains, scratches, and heavy loads. Rubber tile offers sound absorption and comfort, while LVT suits outpatient settings with high durability. VCT (Vinyl Composition Tile) is also a durable and cost-effective flooring material made from a composite of vinyl, limestone, and other fillers, offering a balance of flexibility and strength. Sheet vinyl is also a popular choice for healthcare facilities due to its numerous benefits such as hygiene, durability and ease of maintenance. Sheet vinyl is a resilient flooring made from large, flexible sheets of vinyl known for its affordability, waterproof nature, and versatility. It offers seamless, non-porous surfaces that minimizes bacteria and infection risks making it ideal for environments where cleanliness is critical.
- Maintenance: Seamless, chemical-resistant surfaces ensure hygiene and ease of cleaning, critical for infection control.
- Certifications: Look for asthma and allergy friendly®, FloorScore, and GREENGUARD certifications for IAQ and sustainability.
- Design: Nature-inspired colors and patterns aid healing, reduce stress, and support wayfinding, especially for diverse or neurodivergent patients.
Contact Eagle Mat to Learn More About Healthcare Flooring Options
Flooring is foundational to quality healthcare, enhancing safety, comfort, and aesthetics. By aligning with thoughtful design goals, healthcare facilities can improve patient outcomes, staff well-being, and operational efficiency, creating environments that foster recovery and trust.
Eagle Mat and Floor Products provides premium healthcare flooring solutions designed for safety, durability, and functionality. To learn more about these products, please visit our portfolio: https://www.eaglemat.net/portfolio-items
Our dedication to providing quality products and exceptional service builds lasting trust with our clients. For more information, contact our expert sales team at sales@eaglemat.net or call us at (301) 442-8609 today.