INFECTION CONTROL
Low-contact door solutions for a healthier environment
Infection control is critical in healthcare environments to protect patients, visitors, and staff. Here Tim Checketts, head of Specification at dormakaba, discusses how the right door and access control solutions can help minimise the spread of germs, while still achieving the required accessibility, security, and safety.
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are a serious issue for hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Not only do they pose a risk to the health and life of patients, but they also have a significant impact on healthcare resources. Research published in 2019 suggests that while only a small proportion of all patients acquire a HCAI, it typically increases their stay in hospital by around nine days, and approximately one-fifth of all available bed-days in NHS hospitals in England are taken up by HCAI patients. The study also found that the cost of managing a patient with a HCAI is around three times higher compared with a patient without. In total these infections cost the NHS in England alone around £2.7 billion per year. Reducing the spread of the bacteria and viruses that cause these infections is thus critical for any healthcare organisation. One of the key elements in infection control is reducing transmission through contact with surfaces. As features of a building that are interacted with most, the correct choice of doors, hardware, and security components, has an important role in achieving this.
Low-contact door solutions An effective approach to reducing contact with shared surfaces is by making doors automatic wherever possible. The most suitable type of door in each case will depend on factors such as where it is located and how it will be used. For entrances there are a range of automatic revolving, sliding, and single and double leaf swing-door options. Also, depending on the system and manufacturer, it may be possible to upgrade manual or servomatic revolving doors to fully automatic operation by replacing the control module. Similarly, many of the manually operated internal doors can be upgraded cost-effectively by replacing standard door-closers with automatic
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Electronic cylinders and card readers that support contactless access can be utilised in place of conventional locks and keypads.
swing-door operators linked to sensors. In some areas, fully automatic doors
may not be the best option. For example, the use of motion detectors on doors in high-traffic areas may cause unnecessary opening of the door as people move past. In these situations, it is better for the user to activate the door when required, with button operation being the most common approach to balancing ease of access with preventing unintentional activation. However, for healthcare buildings
there is a risk that bacteria and viruses will be transmitted through contact with the button or plate unless it is cleaned regularly. An alternative to this is contact-
Many of the manually operated internal doors can be upgraded cost-effectively by replacing standard door-closers with automatic swing door operators
free sensors that use microwave detection. Here the user simply needs to move their hand in front of the sensor to open the door.
Toilets and washrooms One of the areas where germs can spread most easily is toilet and washroom facilities. Here, the same contact-free sensor technology can be used to provide hygienic access. Swing or sliding door operators combined with contact-free sensors on the main door mean contact with the door handle and surfaces can be eliminated. This combination can also be used for accessible washroom facilities, with an electronic locking device added on the inside. The additional advantage of an electronic lock is that if the assistance alarm is activated, the door can unlock automatically, allowing quick access for those providing help.
March 2022 Health Estate Journal 61
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