When it comes to a medical or hospital fit out, there’s often a tendency for it to be clinical and clean. Whilst creating a space that’s both practical and allows medical professionals to do their jobs effectively is important, there is still room for creativity.
At Debetrek, we believe in creating spaces that use quality medical equipment and that are also welcoming, calming and patient-orientated. We want to help your establishment stand out from the rest by offering great patient experiences in a facility that is optimised to work in.
We’ve listed some of the main areas to think about when it comes to hospital fit outs so that you can create the best space for you and your patients.
Overall Hospital Design Plan
When considering your hospital design plan, there are a couple of essential things to take into consideration. These will help you to create a space where patients can feel relaxed, that is compliant with the law and that allows medical staff to do their jobs.
Ergonomic Equipment
Whilst creating a friendly and relaxed environment is important, patients are at your facility for a reason – for top-quality medical treatment. Including ergonomic equipment in your hospital fit out will make everything work much more efficiently and smoothly.
At Debetrek, we offer a range of ergonomic equipment – everything from monitor mounts to medical carts. After your initial consultation with us, we’ll design a vision room so that you can test out the different types of equipment on offer. Our experts will help you to make the right choice for your medical facility.
Compliance
Perhaps not the most fun part of a medical fit out, but it is one of the most important. Both the design and the equipment need to be compliant with Australian Healthcare guidelines to ensure that you’re offering your patients the best and safest care. All the hospital medical equipment offered by Debetrek is 100% compliant.
Design Flow
Thinking about both the patient and staff flow of your facility is crucial. Patients should be able to move around without getting in the way of medical professionals working. You need to think about waiting areas, toilets, and corridors and ensure that there are certain areas only for patients and staff (and not the public to ensure confidentiality and minimise the spread of disease).
Patient Accessibility
Of course, an essential thing to think about when it comes to a hospital fit out is accessibility for all. Many patients may have reduced mobility or mobility impairments and this needs to be considered in all aspects of design. Bathrooms should be larger, allowing for assistance when needed, and there should be easily accessible hand washing facilities and a drinks station on each ward for patients, visitors and staff to utilise. It should also be easy for those in a wheelchair to navigate and move around the hospital.
Good Ventilation
Effective ventilation is really important in making the place feel fresher as well as reducing the risk of infections spreading.
Creating a Welcoming Hospital Environment
For many, arriving at a medical facility can be a worrying time. Creating a hospital fit out that’s designed to be welcoming and relaxed can help enormously with the overall experience.
Use Plants
Plants are a wonderful way of adding colour to a space whilst also creating a sense of tranquillity and relaxation. They contribute to the quality of the air and make a hospital feel more appealing.
Natural Light
Sunlight is the best way to make a place feel brighter and less clinical. It can be difficult, however, to ensure it reaches everywhere. Try skylights and natural light bulbs to make the place warmer and more inviting.
Consider Colours
Colour is a really important factor in your hospital fit out. Calming colours such as pastels and white help to create a welcoming environment and put patients and visitors at ease. Avoid dark or bold colours such as red as these can be alarming and create a negative atmosphere.
Wayfinding and Signage
There are many reasons why wayfinding signs are important in a hospital facility. They help both patients and visitors easily and safely navigate the area, helping to reduce stress and confusion. Some of the most important factors to consider when it comes to wayfinding and signage are:
Colours: Try to use contrasting colours that are easy to read from far away.
Font Size: Use a big enough font size that can easily be read by those with sight impairments.
Consider Repositionable Media: Some of the best signage solutions are printed onto repositionable materials. This allows you to safely place the signs on almost any surface and remove them when needed – without damaging the surface.
Icons: Visual aids can be a clear and direct way of helping people to navigate the hospital or medical setting. They’re also a really helpful aid for those living with dementia or memory loss.
Arrows: Arrows help to make a sign even clearer and help patients and visitors to feel more at ease.
Need Help With Your Hospital Fit Out?
At Debetrek, we have years of experience offering leading technology and designing medical spaces. Our unique process ensures that you choose the correct equipment for your medical facility and our experts will be happy to assist with the best practices to ensure you have a welcoming and fully functional hospital or medical centre.
Get in touch with the team at Debetrek to see how we can help your hospital fit out ideas come to life.