When you think of a hospital’s atmosphere in India, what comes first to your mind? If you are like most people, you are probably thinking about pungent smells, confusing pathways, dingy waiting rooms, and a sterile environment that is bland and boring. None of these thoughts give you positive vibes or encourage you to visit there should you happen to be sick and need treatment. Fortunately, modern hospitals are changing that image now with the help of hospital interior contractors.
More hospitals are now investing in interior design today as they realize how it impacts their bottom line along with patient retention rate and employee turnover. However, the influence of hospitals’ interior design goes beyond these benefits. The thoughtful interior design of a hospital also helps improve the health and safety of everyone.
Here, we will talk about different aspects of hospitals that influence how a person feels in the hospital, especially a patient.
- Waiting Room
Once people head past the lobby and the receptionist area, they most often head to the waiting area. If the waiting room is small, it can cause anxiety to patients as most sick people start feeling stressed in small enclosed spaces. Besides, many people also have the fear of germs if they have to sit close to others.
So, make sure that your waiting area has enough space. If you have designed a waiting room that isn’t big, an easy way to make it look spacious and open is to paint it with light or ivory color.
Furniture and seating arrangements can also make a big difference. First, there must be enough seats so that people don’t have to stand during their wait. Besides, patients and visitors won’t also like to sit on uncomfortable furniture either.
Being ill and waiting for their turn – both are very exhausting. So, install comfortable furniture and arrange the seating in a way that doesn’t cause the fear of sitting too close to other patients. To impart a refreshing look, feel free to have living plants in the waiting room.
- Signage and Directions
It is very annoying for patients to visit hospitals that feel like a maze to them. Patients get easily frustrated when they have to wait a lot in the waiting room and then have to waste their energy and time by getting lost while looking for washrooms, laboratories, exits etc. And when time is of the essence, not being able to find the right path can even lead to life-threatening scenarios.
Hence, clear signs with directions and floor plans must be strategically placed in a hospital on every floor so that people can easily find their way. Plus, providing clear signs to exits, staircases, and elevators promote safety in case of emergencies.
- Surface Material
Another aspect that is often neglected is the surface material used on the floor and walls. These surfaces can lead to serious health issues as they are continually touched by staff, patients, and visitors. So, focus on having anti-slip floors.
You don’t want your employees to slip and fall while providing emergency care. Floors with slippery surfaces are also a threat to patients as they can get injured and may face more complications during recovery.
Apart from being anti-slip, floors and walls should be protected with antimicrobial coatings to provide better protection against bacteria.
We understand the topmost priority for any hospital is patient care. But when patient health, safety, and well-being are influenced by your hospital’s atmosphere and design, it is worth consulting an experienced hospital interior contractor.