Don't Buy Hospital Carpet Until You Check These 7 Essential Features

Often,when we hear of hospital carpet flooring we immediately think of tile or vinyl. The word hospital carpet for most people is associated with worries of cleanliness and infection. However, is that fear really justified?

It is a fact that new technologies have totally changed the concept of hospital-grade carpet. The carpet in a hospital floor is not the one in an office or a house.

Why Standard Commercial Carpet Won't Work in a Healthcare Setting

Every hour of every day a hospital is in operation. It is slammed with a series of challenges non-stop large crowds of people, gurneys being pushed around, wheelchairs, and the constant threat of spills.

Above all else, hygiene and infection control are the absolute top priority. A normal commercial carpet is just not up to these challenges.

If you happen to be a facility manager or the person making decisions in a hospital, clinic, or healthcare center, then this manual is the right direction for you.

Below you will find the perfect 7-point checklist that will assist you in selecting a carpet that ensures patients' safety, is long-lasting, and has a soothing effect on the patients.

Advanced Antimicrobial Properties

This is the primary and most essential point. In any healthcare facility, the propagation of microbes has to be strictly and absolutely prevented.

• Definition: A real hospital-grade carpet is not merely sprayed with a chemical on the surface. Rather, it has antimicrobial ingredients that are resistant and directly incorporated in its fibers.
• Reason for being necessary: Such a device practically forbids the development of bacteria, molds, and mildews on the carpeting surface. It's not only about cleaning, but it's also an active protective shield that is available all the time, thus, it is very helpful in your infection control protocols.

An Impermeable Moisture Barrier

Spills - this includes water, chemicals, or bodily fluids - are inevitable in any healthcare facility.

• What it is: It is a totally waterproof layer which is laminated to the carpet.
• Why it's necessary: This layer of protection prevents any liquid from penetrating the carpet and reaching the subfloor. When moisture gets to the subfloor, it is going to cause the growth of odor-producing bacteria and mold which cannot be cleaned. With this barrier, your base is not only sealed but also secured.

Superior Durability & Stain Resistance

Carpets in hospitals are subject to a great deal of misuse.

• What to look for: Opt for carpets that are manufactured from solution-dyed fibers. In other words, the color is an integral part of the fiber, not just colored on the surface.
• Why it is necessary: These fibers can be disinfected with severe agents, even with a diluted bleach, without the color fading. They are resistant to the deformation caused by heavy rolling carts and can retain their original appearance for a long time thus, saving your money.

Acoustic Benefits & Noise Reduction

It is not uncommon for a hospital carpet to be full of noises such as the voices of people, the sounds coming from the machines, and the footsteps that are made on the hard floors.

• How it helps: Hard surfaces such as tiles reflect the sound, thus the sound is amplified. The carpet, being what it is, still manages to absorb the sound.
• Why it's essential: A quiet environment is very important to the patients. Research indicates that noise reduction results in better sleep, less stress, and quicker recovery. Moreover, it becomes a less messy, more staff-oriented working environment.

Safety & Comfort (Slip and Fall Protection)

Patients,for example, old people or those who take medicine, are usually at a high risk of falling.

• How it helps: A carpet offers considerably more grip than a smooth hard floor, thus the risk of slip is greatly lowered.
• Why it is important: In the event of a fall, the cushioning inherent in the carpet can, very likely, be the factor that saves the person from a heavy impact. Additionally, it is a source of comfort for the feet of the nursing and medical staff who are on their feet for the whole day in the hospital.

Ease of Maintenance & Cleaning Protocols

It used to be a common belief that hospital carpets were difficult to clean, but that idea is now obsolete.

• The fact is: Contemporary, low-pile hospital carpets are actually the most hygienic ones because they are made with easy maintenance in mind.
• The point: The way they are built makes them keep the dust and dirt on the surface instead of letting it come down deep. They are also prepared for certain very effective and at the same time gentle methods (like encapsulation cleaning or hot water extraction) by which they can be disinfected thoroughly with a minimum of time off.

Evidence-Based Design & Aesthetics

Ground cover ought not to be merely practical it ought to be part of the healing process.

• How it operates: This is known as Evidence Based Design. Changes in color and pattern can significantly lower patient stress and anxiety.
• Purpose: A very sterile and cold environment that gives one a feeling of being overwhelmed can frighten the patient. Gentle, nature mimicking patterns and soothing colors can bring about a friendly, non-institutional type of atmosphere that helps the process of healing and the general health of the patient.

Conclusion What Makes a hospital Carpet Different is that It's an Investment in Patient Care

The proper carpet for your hospital carpet is a big decision. It is much more than just covering the floor.

First of all, by choosing a carpet with these 7 characteristics you are not only lowering infection risk, but you are also making sure that patients do not hurt themselves, providing them with a quiet place for recovery and taking care of the staff. It is a big move towards safety and care quality that will pay off in the long run.

FAQ’s

Question 1. Aren't hard floors such as vinyl always more hygienic than carpets in a hospital?

A: It is the biggest misconception that people tend to believe! Hard floors may appear to be easier to clean but they don't trap particles that come from the air. Dust, allergens, and microbes can be resuspended into the air by foot traffic.

Hospital-grade carpet of today actually enhances the quality of the air indoors by capturing these particles until they are vacuumed. Moreover, its antimicrobial fibers from the inside and impermeable moisture barrier from the outside make a surface that is actively growing bacteria on the hard floor which is only as clean as its last mopping, are excluded.

Question 2. What if there is a major spill, for example, blood or harsh chemicals, on the carpet? Is it ruined?

A: This is exactly what hospital-grade carpet is engineered for. Unlike regular carpet, it features a 100% impermeable moisture barrier. So, a spill - whether it is blood or betadine cannot go down the padding or subfloor.

The spill is contained on the surface. Since the fibers are solution-dyed, they can be cleaned and disinfected with harsh solutions (including diluted bleach) without fading or being damaged, thus allowing them to be fully sanitized.

Question 3. How can carpet possibly withstand 24/7 heavy traffic from wheelchairs and 500-pound gurneys?

A: It mostly depends on the material. Hospital-grade carpet is not luxurious or long-haired; it is a short-pile, very tightly woven (high-density) fabric. The low and tight structure of this item is especially designed to be resistant to crushing and matting down.

It is constructed to be heavy rolling loads without the occurrence of ruts or tracks, thus it can be trusted to be reliable for years and its change in appearance will be very slight, if any, even in the busiest hallways.

Question 4. How does carpet literally improve patient recovery besides safety?

A: This is a very significant, scientifically proven, and one of the most impactful benefits. Hard floors bounce the sound and thus, a noisy and stressful atmosphere gets created.

The carpet does not reflect but rather it absorbs the noise thus, the noise coming from anyone walking the hall, voices, and machines beeping is reduced to a great extent.

The research studies conducted on evidence-based design suggest that this quiet setting results in reduced patient anxiety, more rest, and recovery becoming faster which can be measured. Thus, it is not just a clinical one but a "healing environment" is being created.

Question 5. Won't the carpet start to trap hospital odors over time?

A: This is a situation that arises with old, porous carpets, not with modern ones. Smells become trapped when liquids (spills, cleaning solutions) are absorbed into the carpet padding and subfloor and bacteria are produced.

However, as hospital-grade carpet has an impermeable barrier, this situation cannot occur. Any odor-causing spill remains with the surface fibers, which can be thoroughly cleaned and neutralized. The carpet is non-porous and does not retain smells.