When we think about window treatments, we often think about them just in our homes. We forget that other places, like health care facilities, need them as well. Each room in a health care facility might require different window treatments, lets talk about the different options and what might be best for specific areas in the clinic.
Let’s start with the lobby of the facility, which is probably where most of the foot traffic happens. It’s best to choose treatments that are not too bulky, since choosing lighter fabric will make the room feel less crowed. Solar shades or roller shades will offer a clean and welcoming feel. In some cases, facilities choose not to do window treatments, instead they will opt for window tinting to help with the glaring sun rays. While tinting does help with the heat and glare, the facility sacrifices the benefits of the more inviting environment that window treatments offer.
Often, exam rooms don’t have windows and then of course they don’t need window treatments, but for the one’s that do have windows, vertical blinds or mini blinds are a great choice. These tend to be a fan favorite since they can be easily sanitized unlike fabrics, which may hold onto bacteria or dust.
When it comes to emergency rooms, health care facilities normally don’t have exterior windows to worry about, but they do have interior privacy curtains for patient care. Unlike regular curtains, these are made of a plastic material so they can be sanitized frequently and provided the most privacy to the patients.
Mental healthcare facilities will often opt for really heavy drapes, these will offer a cozier and safer environment for the patients. It also helps soundproof the room, by absorbing noise, and offer greater control of light for sensitive patients. These drapes should be cordless, so the patients are in the safest environment as possible.
Finally, the waiting room is an important place in any healthcare facility. A good choice for this area might be cellular or honeycomb window treatments, The soft light-diffusing look, offers a sense of security and comfort. This can help take the edge off emotions for patients awaiting a surgery and have a calming effect on loved ones as well.
Healthcare facilities might have different window treatment needs in different areas, but we know how to help. If you are an operations or facilities manager, we are happy to meet with you and discuss your budget and option.
There you have it, the basics of window treatments for healthcare facilities! Don’t forget to visit our social media to say hello, and join us next week for more Tuesday Tips.