Helping hands for healthcare
We hear from Dudley Industries about the importance of maintaining good hand hygiene in healthcare washrooms.
Hand hygiene hasn’t always been at the top of everyone’s agenda, but the COVID-19 pandemic has raised awareness about its importance. Today, most people recognise the vital role it plays keeping people safe from coronaviruses and other pathogens.
In this respect, of course, hospitals and healthcare environments have always been well ahead of the game. As a result, most facilities managers in the sector won’t be facing a pressing need to install new dispensers, but what might have changed is how often visitors are using them. Increased use brings with it a number of important challenges.
Robustness and reliability
One of the most obvious consequences is that dispensers may be subject to more wear and tear. In busy washrooms, soap and towel dispensers can be used hundreds of times a day, so it’s important that units are built to withstand intensive use (and abuse).
Good design, intelligent placement and the right material choice all play a role in ensuring dispensers keep working reliably. Choosing sturdy stainless steel ensures that the unit resists knocks, scratches and corrosion. Using metal for the internal housings, hinges and mountings will also help ensure that it stays securely affixed to the wall and operates reliably.
Capacity and security
More people using soap, gels and paper towels inevitably translates into a more frequent need to refill dispensers. Consequently, it’s important that units are easily accessible, and appropriately sized for the washroom’s traffic. With limited capacity, the dispenser will need to be filled more often, meaning higher labour costs and more nuisance and disruption for visitors.
Greater washroom footfall also brings a heightened risk of vandalism and theft. Hospitals see more than their fair share of anti-social behaviour, so washrooms may be subject to a certain amount of abuse and consumables theft. Once again, here’s where a robust material and sturdy locking mechanisms offer distinct advantages.
54 | HEALTHCARE HYGIENE Ease of use
Britain’s population is ageing, so dementia and reduced cognitive function are becoming increasingly commonplace. It’s important that public healthcare environments can cater for vulnerable people and, in a washroom, simple measures can make big differences.
A typical public washroom can be a confusing environment for a person living with dementia. The various steps involved in washing, applying soap, rinsing and drying may present a real challenge. However, research shows that using strongly contrasting colours can help. Colour can be used to distinguish items such as soap dispensers, toilet seats and grab-bars from the washroom décor and provide a valuable visual cue. Similarly, using colour cues on the floors and walls of ward bathrooms can help patients make visual associations and develop familiar routines, facilitating a safe washing regime and helping to maintain independence.
Contrast can be achieved by mounting washroom equipment on differently coloured wall plates. White-on-blue or vice versa is often a good choice, and the same scheme can be applied to other hygiene-related items such as toilet roll or paper towel dispensers.
Protecting the vulnerable
With rising mental health issues, it’s more important than ever to work to protect the most vulnerable. Those intent of self-harm are more at risk in areas of privacy in which they spend time unsupervised like toilets, bathrooms and bedrooms. In these situations, it’s important to take all necessary precautions and protect user safety. One measure is installing washroom dispensers specifically designed to reduce the potential to fix a ligature. These robust solutions work with a back plate to create recessed fixing points, and the design minimises sharp edges and angles whilst securely protecting contents.
Whilst often some of the smallest rooms in healthcare estates, washrooms and other hygiene locations can play a pivotal role in helping keep everyone safe.
www.dudleyindustries.com
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