HOSPITAL FLOORING. ROBUSTNESS AND CLEANLINESS

Changing hospital flooring is a common task in the renovation of a healthcare facility. In recent years, the technology of materials has advanced a lot, giving rise to much more resistant and hygienic flooring.

Undoubtedly, the high traffic of people on hospital floors makes it necessary to install a resistant material. In addition, given the characteristics of the health activity, it is necessary that it is a safe floor at all levels.

DESMON has a product section dedicated exclusively to flooring. Our catalogue brings together different options that can adapt very well to different types of activities. Our 50 years of experience has enabled us to take part in projects for the refurbishment of hospitals, clinics and health centres. This experience has enabled us to identify the qualities that a hospital floor should have.

In this post, we would like to explain these properties to you. In addition, we will tell you what DESMON’s proposals are and we will give you the keys to get it right when installing a hospital floor. Don’t miss out on the details.

When we think of a hospital, we value above all its medical response capacity. We take into account the quality of its professionals and the medical technology it provides. It goes without saying that this should be the first concern. However, the facilities must also be up to the task. Whether it is the furnishings, the space available or the comfort of the waiting areas, the packaging is also important.

Today we are going to focus on the hospital floor and we are going to take a closer look at the ideal properties for a hygienic, safe and durable floor.

Health professionals, patients and visitors move over the pavement of a hospital. The daily traffic of thousands of people requires a surface that is resistant to this hustle and bustle of comings and goings. It is essential that the floor is not subject to wear and tear. Nor should it crack or lose any anti-slip finish it may have.

In addition to the comings and goings of people, the hospital floor must also withstand the weight of medical equipment. Whether it is lightweight portable equipment on wheels such as those used to check vital signs or state-of-the-art imaging equipment that is very heavy, the floor must withstand their weight and movement without losing its firmness.

On the other hand, it is important for the hospital floor to cushion possible impacts. We are thinking especially of possible falls of patients who, with a suitable hospital floor, can reduce the risk of injury.

Finally, it is important that the hospital floor is resistant to abrasive substances. Think of all the things that can fall on the floor during an emergency operation on a patient. Well, none of this should damage the floor.

We now turn to one of the most important factors on the hospital floor: hygiene. The covid-19 pandemic made it clear to us how important hygiene is in preventing the transmission of viruses and other diseases. In this respect, the hospital floor must be a surface that is very easy to clean and disinfect. Infection control also involves the entire floor covering and its sanitation.

A hospital floor that is easy to maintain and stain-resistant is essential to maintain an adequate level of cleanliness.

Another basic issue when installing a hospital floor is to have a safe and durable material. The first point is, for example, to have a waterproof and slip-resistant floor. This prevents dangerous slips and falls.

Secondly, the durability of the flooring should be long-lasting and should not lose its properties over time. And a final interesting point is to opt for a floor that absorbs noise and prevents its propagation. This will make it easier to achieve a certain degree of stillness or silence in certain areas of the hospital.

Finally, we cannot forget the aesthetic aspect of the hospital floor. It is important to opt for neutral tones that invite calm and tranquillity. Similarly, it is possible to include different colours that contribute to the orientation between the different hospital rooms.

The footfall should always be comfortable and continuous flooring is always a good option that avoids possible tripping as there are no joints.

A hospital has an infinite number of sections and departments. It is obvious that the healthcare area is the largest in terms of square metres, but there are also areas for administrative work and management.

In this sense, it is possible to install different types of hospital flooring depending on the intended use of the area. We review some options.

• Vinyl flooring. This is undoubtedly one of the best options for healthcare areas. At DESMON we always recommend installing continuous vinyl flooring without joints or cracks. That way, cleaning the floor is much easier and the sliding of stretchers, beds or wheelchairs is much gentler. Our catalogue includes the flooring option which is composed of vinyl layers and imitates any other material such as wood or ceramic.
• PVC flooring. This plastic flooring can be assembled with tiles or as a continuous surface. The tile option is interesting for spaces that require accessible flooring through which wiring or channelling of some kind runs. In addition, it allows quick access in the event of a breakdown. It is ideal for administrative workspaces that require computers and network connections.
• Parquet flooring. Synthetic or natural wood parquet is always a good choice for the most important areas or waiting areas. The AC4 and AC5 resistance parquet proposed by Desmon withstands weight and foot traffic. In addition, it always brings an interesting warmth to a hospital.

At DESMON we can offer you different options for hospital flooring. We have a multidisciplinary team that is responsible for the design, manufacture and assembly of all our flooring. We only work with the best materials and we are aware of the importance of a good finish in a hospital environment.

If you need more information, please contact us and get a customised quote full of solutions.