Bathrooms in hospitals are more about safety and wellness, rather than luxury. The space also needs to be hygienic and comfortable. With the hospital industry growing and flourishing like never before, the need for modern hospital bathroom designs has evolved tremendously in the last few years. These are no more about functional spaces but also about optimising the area to meet the unique needs of patients, their families and staff members. Saving space is one of the key criteria in hospitals. The design also needs to accommodate people of different physical abilities and mobility needs.
Keep reading as we cover all the trends in hospital bathroom designs with the latest space-saving bathroom ideas and concepts.
Importance of Effective Hospital Bathroom Design
Effective hospital bathroom design should offer easy accessibility, making the space perfect for recovery, care, and hygiene. The design must prioritise the safety, and comfort of patients. People on wheelchairs should be able to access the bathroom with ease. If required, the bathroom should accommodate different medical equipment and gadgets, meeting the varying needs of patients.
It is imperative to hire professional contractors for hospital bathroom designs because they can help create designs that are relevant and offer comfort to patients, and staff.
Trending Hospital Bathroom Design Concepts
Accessible and Barrier-Free Design
One of the most important trends in bathroom designs of hospitals is that these spaces should be easily accessible. There should not be any barrier or obstacle on the way. That’s because patients in hospitals have different kinds of mobility-related challenges. Some of the built-in concepts in the bathroom are – wider doorways for easy entry and exit. Similarly, roll-in showers enable patients in wheelchairs or with walkers to access the shower with ease. Other mandatory inclusions in the design include grab bars and non-slip floorings. Handheld showers and adjustable shower heads help patients take their bath without discomfort, even when they are sitting or cannot stand.
Space-Saving Bathroom Fixtures
The space in hospital bathrooms is limited. Every square foot matters. The available space needs to be maximised with space-saving bathroom fixtures. These units optimise functionality and comfort. Take for instance, wall-mounted toilets and floating vanities are very popular. They help keep the floor clutter-free and therefore, create the illusion of more space. The fixtures can be cleaned easily. Fit compact sinks and multi-functional storage units in small bathrooms in hospitals. Thus, the floor can be cleaned with ease and the overall experience for patients and staff is comfortable.
Smart Technology Integration
Hospital bathroom designs in modern settings are increasingly using smart technology with the objective of improving patient experience and improving hospital operations. Some common examples include hands-free soap dispensers that started to trend during the pandemic. Other fixtures that come with integrated technology include automatic faucets, motion-activated lights, etc. These improve the hygiene of the place as physical contact is drastically reduced. The overall efficiency of the space is also improved. Other trends that are making heads turn for these spaces are touchless toilets and temperature controls. Some hospitals are using smart mirrors that display essential health information of patients like the name, medication routines, vital signs, etc., offering valuable and real-time information to medical professionals.
Hygiene-Centric Materials
The other trending pattern currently is using durable materials that are easy to maintain. In hospitals, the use of antimicrobial and water-resistant surfaces help keep the space clean and free from harmful bacteria. The use of materials like vinyl,quartz, and porcelain have become quite popular due to two reasons – resistant to germ infestations, and ease of cleaning. Vinyl water panels are also gaining popularity as the panels are non-porous, water-resistant and mildew-resistant.
Conclusion
A functional hospital bathroom demands careful planning for space optimisation. Space-saving, cleanliness, and well-being of patients, caregivers, and staff are at the core of all hospital bathroom designs.
