Tony Walker, Technical Manager – Specification at Johnstone’s Trade, looks at the different elements that should be taken into account when decorating the interior of healthcare environments.
In healthcare environments, it’s vital not only to minimise maintenance requirements and keep interior spaces looking fresh for as long as possible, it is also important to ensure the space is clean, hygienic and comfortable for staff, patients and visitors. More than simply being crucial to comply with the Department of Health’s Health Building Note (HBN) 00-10 Part B: Walls and ceilings, studies have demonstrated that factors such as the cleanliness and aesthetics of a hospital environment can significantly affect patients’ rate of recovery[1].
Choosing the right paints and interior coatings can go a long way towards achieving these goals, helping to create a hygienic healthcare environment that supports patients’ well-being, while keeping maintenance budgets in mind.
Here are some key elements you should take into account to ensure you select the most appropriate products for the needs of your space:
Keeping clean
A major factor to consider when choosing coatings with maintenance in mind is cleanability. Washdown procedures in hospitals are necessarily harsh to minimise any risk of bacterial growth, and the paints selected need to be able to withstand regular cleaning or contact with water without impacting on the finish. In fact, this is a specific requirement of HBN 00-10 Part B.
Products featuring stain-resistant properties can be ideal for these situations, as they can help reduce the work needed to remove dirt and marks. Paints containing technology that prevents stains from setting into a wall surface, such as Johnstone’s Trade Cleanable Matt, can be easily washed off using warm, soapy water. This product also has an ISO 11998 class 1 scrub rating that can allow more stubborn stains to be tackled with standard hospital cleaning products – without affecting the original finish or colour. As a result, it can help to maintain a pleasant environment for patients while extending maintenance cycles.
Thinking durability
Wear resistance is another issue that should be kept front of mind. The use of standard coatings may help to reduce costs during the initial renovation project, but they are often vulnerable to wear and tear, particularly in high-traffic spaces, like lobbies and corridors. This can have a negative impact on a patient’s perception of the aesthetics of a healthcare environment, while areas where paint has peeled away can act as dirt traps, providing an environment for bacteria to grow. So using standard coatings can lead to greater repair and maintenance costs in the long-run.
Robust, durable coatings, on the other hand, are capable of withstanding the daily scuffs and bumps of high-traffic areas without looking tired. Using such products in the initial project will help keep the busiest spaces of the hospital looking fresh and new for longer, and ensure compliance with Department of Health guidelines.
Holding bacteria at bay
Healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) can increase a hospital stay by 70 per cent[2], making it vital to take steps to minimise infection risks for recovering patients. Operating theatres and wards have been designed for a number of years now to achieve this goal, with touch surfaces, such as worktops, increasingly made using materials, such as antibacterial copper, to help minimise bacterial growth.
Table tops aren’t the only surfaces that need to be considered though. As highlighted in HBN 00-10 Part B, walls too can easily be touched, particularly around light switches and sockets, so it is crucial to find solutions to support hospital staff in keeping them as sanitary and bacteria-free as possible. Anti-bacterial paints have been specially designed to inhibit the growth of common pathogens, such as MRSA and E.coli. Used in wards and food preparation areas, it can help minimise the risk of vulnerable patients picking up infections.
Considering the Equalities Act
As well as paying due consideration to hygiene and maintenance, it’s important to take the Equalities Act 2010 Approved Document M into account when choosing paints for hospital environments.
The careful use of colour can improve the navigability of a hospital interior, enabling patients with visual impairments, or those with dementia, to find their way through the space. For instance, when renovating the Horton Wing at St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford, our colour experts recommended a number of bright shades to assist with wayfinding, as well as creating a relaxed environment for patients and visitors alike.
Talking to such colour consultants can help you devise the ideal colour scheme to create a hospital environment that’s not only attractive and welcoming, but meets these important practical needs at the same time.
All set up for great patient care
Considering the maintenance and cleaning requirements of paints over time can ensure a healthier environment and help minimise the long-term cost of looking after hospital interiors. In doing so, you can be confident you are offering a welcoming, healthy environment for patients and supporting medical staff in providing high quality care.
For more information on Johnstone’s Trade’s specialist coatings for healthcare environments, please visit: www.johnstonestrade.com.
[1] The effect of the healthcare environment on patients and staff, 2005, Cortvriend, P:
[2] Health facilities Scotland. Research Report: Evidence-based design. 2011
