Window treatment considerations for hospitals and healthcare facilities

When you think of a healthcare facility or hospital, the type of window cover used may not always be in the foreground. When it comes to commercial blinds and roller blindsThose used in places where we feel most vulnerable require slightly more consideration than those used in office, retail, or hospitality environments. From window lobbies and waiting rooms, examination and operating areas as well as rooms that are shared by patients, the window treatments used are not left to chance, but selected because they meet a very specific need.

Lobbies & waiting rooms

While hospitals and healthcare facilities are viewed more as cold clinical locations, this feeling does not always extend to the public space of these facilities. If you did not notice it on a previous visit, the decor of many waiting areas is designed to make the patient and their relatives feel comfortable and welcome. They do this by promoting lots of natural light, installing comfortable furniture, and opting for curtains that create a sense of calm by mimicking the comfort of home. Of course, the window treatments most often combined with curtains in these environments aim to maximize this comfort more than anything else, which is why you often see shutters in these rooms. Not only do they let in just the right amount of natural light to reduce glare and heat, they can also help keep the temperature in the lobby cool and comfortable, and cut heating and cooling costs

Medical rooms & surgical suites

Many exam rooms do not have windows, but those that tend to stay away from the curtains that are used so often in waiting rooms and lobbies, especially for hygienic reasons. Many people pass examination rooms every day, and while steps are taken to keep the space between patients hygienic, fabric curtains tend to hold dust, allergens, and bacteria in the air – all things that can only be treated if they are worn out and removed be washed daily. This is unaffordable even for the smallest institutions. Therefore, it simply makes sense to attach window covers that are easy to disinfect if necessary.

In examination rooms with windows, window covers such as vertical or mini blinds are usually installed. They offer the necessary privacy when needed and do not cling to the microscopic objects mentioned above. As a rule, operating rooms usually have no windows, since these are usually a practical access point for germs. Sterility is paramount in these rooms.

It should be noted that metal blinds are standard in examination rooms, but their use is not a universal standard. Some commercial fabrics are made with antimicrobial properties that help fight germs and diseases. If you work in a healthcare facility or if you supervise and consider using substances in your examination rooms, make sure that they meet at least the ASTM G21 standard. In addition, there are other certifications that identify a material with antimicrobial and antifungal properties, such as: B. Microban, Greenguard Mold and Bacteria Stans ASTM 6329.

Double rooms and psychiatric facilities

In many facilities, double rooms are separated by a screen curtain. These are typically made from a versatile fabric that is often flame retardant and contains antimicrobial properties. They withstand regular washing well and are specially designed for use in healthcare facilities. Their colors are usually soothing, but otherwise their aesthetics are pretty useful.

When it comes to psychiatric facilities, the purpose of curtains is very different. A therapist can attach thick, heavy curtains to improve the natural soundproofing qualities of a room and to make his patients feel comfortable and safe.

Pay special attention the next time you visit your doctor’s office, hospital, dentist or therapist on commercial window treatments in use. You will be surprised how different they are from room to room. When you’re in the market for new window treatments for your healthcare facility, there’s no shortage of styles and fabrics to choose from.