Choosing the right healthcare flooring is of vital importance when designing or upgrading a healthcare facility. The most suitable flooring for different areas in a healthcare setting depend largely on the use the area receives, bur two of the most important considerations are safety and hygiene.

Most Important Factors in Choosing Healthcare Flooring

Slips, trips and falls commonly occur in some healthcare settings, and here it is important that flooring is firm, stable and slip resistant. Changes in level should be avoided where possible. In rooms where carpet is appropriate, this should not look institutional but be attractive and welcoming. Even in areas such as sitting rooms which are less likely to be subject to spills, flooring should be easy to clean. Many carpets today can be cleaned using bleach to ensure the highest standards of hygiene.

Non-slip, rigid flooring options are available for areas such as bathrooms or laboratories where spills may occur, as well as for operating theatres and burns units where patients are at higher risk of infection. They must remain non-slip even when wet or greasy.

Since falls may still occur, it is important that the flooring has energy absorbing properties to minimise injuries. If rigid flooring materials are used, adequate cushioning can be provided through the use of underlays. Areas where staff are required to stand for extended periods may also need cushioning to reduce staff fatigue.

The design of flooring can help certain groups of patients such as those with dementia to find their way around, but care must also be taken that the patterns and colours selected do not cause people with impaired vision to become confused and lose their balance.

Noise is another important factor. Areas such as corridors that have high footfall noise need flooring with good sound absorbing properties which will also allow trolleys and wheelchairs to be pushed with ease.

Whatever your needs, we are able to supply a wide range of flooring suitable for healthcare applications.