INFECTION PREVENTION
Safer hospitals through smarter spaces
Poorly designed healthcare environments can fuel infection and compromise patient safety. Richard Thomas, Managing director at Hygenius, examines how smarter furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) choices, from seamless surfaces to robust storage, can cut infection risk and improve patient outcomes.
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a significant challenge to patient safety and healthcare delivery. According to a 2022 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), out of every 100 patients in acute- care hospitals, seven patients in high-income countries and 15 patients in low- and middle- income countries will acquire at least one HCAI during their hospital stay. On average, 1 in every 10 affected patients will die from their HCAI. People in intensive care and newborns are particularly at risk.1 In 2018, a report by Public Health England
found that HCAIs in England resulted in an estimated 2.9 million extra bed days, 1 million antibiotic prescriptions and an estimated cost of £1 bn annually to the NHS. The report also highlighted the impact of HCAIs on patient outcomes, finding that patients with HCAIs had a 2-20 times higher risk of mortality compared to those without an infection.2
In addition,
HCAIs can lead to prolonged hospital stays, with affected patients remaining in hospital 2.5 times longer than uninfected patients. The total annual cost of HCAIs in the UK is estimated to be £774 m.3
contamination. Toilets, sinks and taps can harbour bacteria if not cleaned properly.
These
staggering statistics highlight the critical need for robust infection prevention and control measures. The potential speed of infection transmission is alarmingly fast, and this is why infection control remains such a challenge for healthcare providers. Two primary factors contribute to HCAIs: patient-related
factors and healthcare-related factors. Patient-related factors include a weakened immune system, age and underlying medical conditions, while healthcare-related factors include poor hand hygiene, contaminated equipment and environments, invasive procedures and antimicrobial resistance. For the purposes of this feature, we will focus on healthcare-related factors.
High-risk infection hotspots First, let’s look at typical high-risk infection hotspots in hospitals. These tend to be areas where there is a high concentration of patients, staff and equipment and include: n Patient rooms: These are the primary source of infection, especially for patients with weakened immune systems. Bed rails, bedside tables and other surfaces in patient rooms can become contaminated with bacteria and viruses.
n Bathrooms: Bathrooms are high-risk areas due to the presence of moisture and potential for faecal
n Shared spaces: Common areas like waiting rooms, cafeterias and staff rooms can contribute to the spread of infection, especially if surfaces are not cleaned regularly.
n Medical equipment: Medical devices, such as catheters, ventilators and intravenous lines, can become contaminated with bacteria if not handled and cleaned properly. These devices can serve as a direct pathway for infection to enter the patient’s bloodstream.
n Mobile furniture: Mobile bedside tables, chairs and IV poles can become infection hotspots in hospitals. These items are frequently moved around, potentially spreading bacteria and viruses from contaminated surfaces to clean ones. The wheels and joints of this furniture can be difficult to clean, creating harbourages for microorganisms.
n Surfaces: High-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches and countertops, can become contaminated with bacteria and viruses. Regular cleaning and disinfection of these surfaces is essential to prevent the spread of infection.
Designing for infection prevention Physical methods to reduce the risk of infection transmission include rigorous hand-hygiene, correct PPE, proper cleaning and disinfection of equipment and environments,
October 2025 Health Estate Journal 137
Storage is a critical and often overlooked aspect of healthcare facility design.
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