INFECTION PREVENTION
Smooth, seamless surfaces are more resistant to damage and easier to clean and disinfect.
ventilation and adherence to standard precautions and isolation protocols. While these measures are crucial, they are not always sufficient in preventing HCAIs. Today, there is increasing recognition of the role that healthcare environment design plays in preventing the spread of infection. Traditional healthcare space designs and furniture can inadvertently contribute to infection transmission. Porous materials like fabric and wood, often found in traditional furniture, can harbour bacteria and are difficult to clean thoroughly. Intricate designs with numerous crevices and joints create ideal breeding grounds for microorganisms. Additionally, hard-to-clean surfaces, inadequate ventilation, inconsistent design layouts and inefficient workflows can further exacerbate the risk of infection. Frequent cleaning can actually accelerate the
deterioration of certain cabinet types, leading to the formation of bacterial hotspots. Similarly, cabinets that are based on simple kitchen-type cabinets have rough and inaccessible inner surfaces and often have fittings that harbour dirt. Other design issues include the use of sharp and shallow corners, poorly sealed joints in worktops, and crevices and gaps between surfaces. When investing in new FF&E either for new build healthcare facilities or as part of a refurb project, it is vital to find a supplier who can demonstrate a high level of infection prevention risk awareness and reduction. Anticipation and prevention are
paramount in healthcare interior design. Furniture should be designed with minimal crevices to prevent bacterial growth, and materials should be easy to clean and disinfect – ensuring that equipment is easy to maintain and sterilise.
Some of the key design features that can minimise the spread of infection include: n Smooth, seamless panels and surfaces are more resistant to damage and easier to clean and disinfect, reducing the potential for bacteria to accumulate in crevices and joints.
n Rounded corners on furniture and equipment can prevent the accumulation of dirt and bacteria.
n Antimicrobial coatings can inhibit the growth of microorganisms, while easy-to-clean materials like stainless steel and laminate can reduce the risk of infection.
n Limiting the use of porous materials like fabric and wood is crucial. If fabric is necessary, it should be easy to clean and disinfect.
n Well-designed, ergonomic furniture can reduce the need for frequent adjustments, minimising the spread of germs.
n Robust furniture is less likely to chip or split when a trolley hits it.
n Smooth and simple shapes for hinges and handles minimise crevices and gaps, making them easier to clean and disinfect.
The importance of IP&C in storage areas
Alyson Prince, Built Environment Infection Prevention Control Consultant Nurse, says that a critical, but often overlooked, aspect of healthcare facility design is adequate storage. In her experience, storage solutions are consistently under prioritised, leading to a host of infection control issues. When equipment and supplies are left in
inappropriate or unclean storage areas, they become potential sources of contamination. This is particularly problematic in high- traffic areas like operating theatres and patient rooms. Proper storage not only ensures the integrity of medical equipment but also facilitates effective cleaning and decontamination processes. Clinical adjacencies are also key to minimising infection spread by optimising patient flow and reducing unnecessary movement within healthcare facilities. The strategic layout of clinical adjacencies is essential to minimise the risk of cross-
138 Health Estate Journal October 2025
contamination. Preventing unnecessary movement from contaminated to clean areas can significantly reduce exposure to infectious agents. This reduces the chances of cross- contamination between clean and dirty areas and minimises exposure to potentially infectious agents. Furthermore, the durability of materials used in healthcare environments is paramount in breaking the chain of transmission as compromised integrity of surfaces can promote proliferation of biofilms. HCAI outbreaks often occur due to misused or poorly designed FF&E. Surfaces that are prone to cracking or breaking can harbour pathogens and compromise infection control efforts. It is essential to select materials that are resistant to harsh cleaning chemicals and can withstand the rigours of daily use. The clean to dirty flow principle should always be applied to minimise the risk of
cross-contamination and the spread of infection. Healthcare workers should move from clean areas to dirty areas, and then dispose of contaminated materials before appropriate hand hygiene and returning to clean areas. This helps prevent the transfer of pathogens from dirty areas to clean ones. Clean equipment and supplies should be stored separately from dirty items. Re-usable contaminated equipment should be cleaned and disinfected or disposed of properly if single use. Patient rooms should be designed to minimise the risk of cross-contamination. Clean areas, like the patient bedroom and bedside table, should be kept separate from dirty areas, like communal areas such as sluices.
By prioritising storage solutions, selecting
durable, easy-to-clean materials and adhering to clean to dirty flow principles, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the risk of HCAIs and improve patient safety.
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