Furniture
How can furniture assist with infection control?
There are a number of ways in which the spread of infection can be controlled. Jason Brown, director of design & development at Knightsbridge Furniture, explains why choosing the right furniture in a care home is an important, yet often overlooked place to begin
In today’s post-pandemic world, health and safety has taken centre stage. While infection control has always been of paramount importance within healthcare environments in order to safeguard the health and wellbeing of residents and contribute to overall public health efforts, the pandemic brought widespread attention to the importance of infection prevention and control in our everyday lives. People are now much more aware of how easily infectious diseases can spread and the impact they can have on individuals, communities, and global health systems. Ensuring a clean, safe, and hygienic environment is particularly important when it comes to care homes. In a care setting, residents live in close proximity to one another, which can facilitate the rapid spread of infections. Germs can easily move from person to person, leading to outbreaks that can be challenging to contain. Care homes typically house elderly individuals with complex medical needs, compromised immune systems, or underlying health conditions. These residents are more susceptible to infections and may have a harder time recovering from them. Infections can lead to more serious health complications, hospitalisations, and even fatalities. By implementing strict infection control measures, the risk to vulnerable residents from preventable diseases is reduced significantly. Proper infection control practices help minimise the risk of outbreaks and contain infections when they do occur. Through maintaining and encouraging effective infection control measures, the overall health and wellbeing of the residents are safeguarded. The very nature of a care home environment means that the constant flow of residents, medical staff, and
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visitors presents a high risk of infection transmission, so reducing any risk should be a priority.
The role that furniture has to play There are some key infection control features to keep in mind when choosing care home furniture and furnishings which will reduce any risks and provide a safe environment for both residents, staff, and visitors.
Maintaining cleanliness in shared spaces where individuals spend extended periods of time – such as common rooms and waiting areas – is vital. Despite these communal areas being a place where a diverse group of people frequently gather, cleaning protocols are not always as rigorous as they should be.
The furniture and fabrics that populate our living, working, and public spaces can harbour harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi if not managed properly and cleaned regularly. These pathogens can survive on surfaces for extended periods of time, waiting to be transmitted to unfortunate individuals who come into contact with the contaminated furniture.
When choosing furniture, striking a balance between practicality and style is challenging. However, furniture is available that prioritises hygiene without compromising on comfort and style. While infection control is paramount, patient comfort remains a priority.
Comfortable and aesthetic furnishings contribute to a positive patient experience
There are some key infection control features to keep in mind when choosing furniture
and have been proven to aid in the healing process. Historically, care home environments have appeared to be cold, uninviting, and even hostile places. However, we believe that creating spaces with soft furnishings where residents can truly relax and feel cosy, cared for, and warm can massively impact their mood and help influence the atmosphere within the home.
A calming environment can really help caregivers to build more productive relationships with the residents. This in turn can yield more positive responses to therapy and improve their living environment. We design and manufacture healthcare furniture based on best practice infection control methods, and we are continually developing new technologies and manufacturing methods to help in the constant fight against healthcare- associated infections.
Timely maintenance and inspection
of existing furnishings can also prevent the accumulation of dirt, dust, and other
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com May 2024
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