BY NEAL LORENZI

Furniture manufacturersare meeting the rigorous

sanitary demands of healthcare facilities withfeatures like open

designs, swing-awayarms and remov-able components,

among others.

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All furniture products man-ufactured by KI (www.ki.com),Green Bay, Wis., can becleaned with a 1:10 bleachand water solution withoutdamaging the finish of metalor wood components, accord-ing to Shawn Green, vice pres-ident of product management. The furniture is designed

with integral cleanouts as wellas the ability to replace modu-lar components. In addition,KI offers fabrics that repelwater and other fluids throughits Pallas Textiles division.“One of the more successful

lines is [KI’s] Soltice Collec-tion,” Green notes. “This linefeatures integral cleanouts aswell as modular/replaceable

components and is ideal forhealth care applications.” Forthe total elimination ofcrevices or areas that couldcapture dirt or fluids, KI offers

the Rose chair, which is moreclinical in appearance.Medical recliners produced

by Champion ManufacturingInc. (www.championchair.com),Elkhart, Ind., are designed to

support the cleaning and dis-infecting goals of customers,according to Angel Ness, cor-porate sales – dialysis. Theserecliners incorporate the fol-

lowing features:• Open design allows items

and fluids that find their waydown into the chair to contin-ue to fall through to the floor,for easy cleanup.

• Removable seats andswing-away arms allow staff toaccess and clean any spills ordebris that have fallen insidethe recliner. • Seams located away from

the patient help with cleaningand infection control, and addcomfort for the patient.• Medical-grade vinyls are

moistureproof, durable andable to withstand harsh clean-ing chemicals. They come in awide range of colors, patternsand finishes.“Shielding high-contact

areas such as the seat backwhere the user’s head rests, orthe tops of recliner arms, pre-vents breaches in the vinyl,”Ness adds. “Accessories such

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SEALED UP TIGHTSonata casegoods featurecove molding that sealsto the floor for thoroughmopping and cleaning intreatment areas. Nurture by Steelcase

COLORFUL ANDCLEANABLE TheOmbre Collection’svinyl construction isfinished with Mor-Care, which providesdurability and allowsfor bleach cleaning,making these uphol-steries ideal solutionsfor high-traffic areas.Designtex

Furniture designed withREMOVABLE COMPONENTSpromotes easy cleaning.

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Keeping furniture cleanand sanitary in a hos-pital environment is a

daunting assignment.Beyond the constant influx

of people, substances such aschemicals, blood and urineare always present. At thesame time, the nature of ahospital demands cleanliness. Furniture manufacturers are

aware of this and constantlyare updating their products tokeep things clean.

Commonsense featuresMany of these designs incor-porate commonsense featuresthat make hospital furnitureeasy to clean.Furniture designed with

removable components —including covers and cushions— promotes easy cleaning,according to Scott Reynolds,vice president of productdevelopment for Nemschoff(www.nemschoff.com), Sheboy-gan, Wis., a Herman MillerHealthcare company. Also, fur-niture designed with visualcues for cleaning, such as dif-ferent materials for armrests,helps guide cleaning staff.“Many Nemschoff designs

have what we call clean-out orwipe-out design,” Reynoldsexplains. “Both allow a chairto be cleaned thoroughly toprevent build-up in crevices.”Wipe-out designs have a visi-ble space between the seat

and back, while clean-outdesigns have a pass through(between the seat and back)that isn’t visible but is largeenough for a hand to fitthrough for cleaning purposes.Ed Miles, director of health

care for GlobalCare (www.thinkglobalcare.com), Marlton, N.J.,says a chair’s structural frame-work under a seat cushionmust be designed with ease ofcleaning in mind. “Vinyl onthe underside of the seat cush-ion makes cleaning easier andallows for easy wipe down,”he notes. “Any supporting seatstructure must be designedwithout catch spots to elimi-nate potential hiding placesfor germs and bacteria. Also,

removable seat cushions allowfor thorough cleaning of achair framework.”All hospital furniture pro-

duced by Nurture by Steelcase(www.nurture.com), GrandRapids, Mich., is evaluatedwith easy cleaning and main-tenance in mind, according toJan Carlson, vice president ofmarketing and product devel-opment. “We make sure allseating products have a crumbsweep, which allows items tofall to the floor for easy clean-ing,” she explains “We look atseams — both type and place-ment — and the ability to usea wide range of health carefabrics as well as options formoisture barriers.”

MARKETPLACE« SUPPLIER INNOVATIONS

CHOOSE YOUR SEATThe new Primacare seriesoffers 36 models of guest,dining, patient, lounge,recliner and sleeper seating options. GlobalCare

flawlessFURNISHINGSHealth care furniture makers stress cleanability INTERIORS

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porous, coated materials,according to Marty Gurian,director of engineering,Designtex, a subsidiary ofSteelcase that provides tex-tiles for Nurture products. “Our Extreme Performance

vinyl or polyurethane uphol-steries have built-in fluid barri-ers, protective coatings andfinishes, antimicrobial addi-tives and can be bleach treat-ed as well as disinfected witha wide range of germicidesand disinfectants,” he explains.

Cleaning-damage resist-ance. Which fabrics stand upto repeated cleanings withharsh chemicals? Which pat-terns and colors? Which typesof wood trim? Specializedproducts are available to meetthese needs as well. However,experts agree that housekeep-ing staff must use the rightcleaning agents in the properproportions. Also, using clean-ers that are not approved orrecommended can damagefurniture finishes and textiles.The types of fabrics that tra-

ditionally stand up best toharsh and repeated cleaningsare vinyl, non-PVC and solu-tion-dyed, according toReynolds. All allow a bleachsolution to be used for clean-ing. Of course, any fabric runsthe risk of not maintaining itslook if it isn’t cleaned accord-ing to the manufacturer’s stan-dards, he adds.Many factors determine

whether an upholstery type isappropriate for repeated treat-ment with specific cleaningagents and disinfectants, ac -cording to Gurian of Designtex. “Patterned designs with color

usually show fewer stains andrequire less frequent care thando solid, light colors,” he notes.“Nonporous or tightly woven,flat fabrics constructed fromsnag- and pill-resistant yarns(protected with a finish or coat-ing) are the most serviceable. “As texture, pile and loose-

ness of a textile’s weaveincreases,” Gurian says, “it ismore challenging to clean anddisinfect because microorgan-

PREVENTSLOUNGE WEARCassini Collectionfurnishings includearm caps to de -crease wear in high-traffic areasand make cleaningeasier. Kwalu

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To learn more about the fur-nishings discussed in thismonth’s “Marketplace,”readers can contact the following manufacturers.

»Champion Manufacturingwww.championchair.com

»GlobalCarewww.thinkglobalcare.com

»Herman Miller Healthcarewww.hermanmiller.com

»KIwww.ki.com

»Kwaluwww.kwalu.com

»Nemschoffwww.nemschoff.com

»Northland Furniture Co.www.northlandfurniture.com

»Nurture by Steelcasewww.nurture.com

SWING AWAY AT GERMSSwing-away arms on this health care recliner help aid in infection control. Champion Manufacturing

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» FLAWLESS FURNISHINGS

as arm covers and a protectivehead flap for the seat backprotect and lengthen the lifeof vinyl in these areas.”Furniture from Kwalu

(www.kwalu.com), Atlanta, alsohas a clean-out feature thatallows for easy debris removalas well as removable cushionsthat facilitate deeper cleaning.In addition, furniture compo-nents are made with anantimicrobial finish that with-stands everyday-cleaning solu-tions, including bleach. “We have relationships with

fabric manufacturers, soclients can partner our long-lasting and durable finish witheasy-to-clean fabrics,” saysChad Langville, director ofbusiness development. “Whenit comes to casegoods, [our]collections have feet and areraised off the floor, which facil-itates cleaning under the unit.”Casegoods manufactured by

Northland Furniture Co.(www.northlandfurniture.com),Bend, Ore., feature plasticlaminate tops on all horizontal

surfaces, according to JoeyDrucker, corporate marketingand project manager. Special attention is paid to

covering the seam where thewood edge is attached, whichallows housekeeping staff toclean without exposing jointsto cleaning solvents. “The use of melamine on

vertical surfaces creates acompletely ‘wipe-able’ prod-uct,” Drucker adds. “In addi-tion, the sealing of all exposedsurfaces underneath the caseprevents it from absorbingmoisture from the floor aftercleaning.”

Clinical environmentHospital infusion areas requirespecial furniture designsbecause of the damage thechemicals can cause. Expertsagree that in these areas,products must feature durablesurface materials designed toaccommodate hospital clean-ing protocols.When carts are used in clin-

ical areas, all interior compo-

nents should be removable sothat every surface — insideand out — is accessible forcleaning. Removable fabricsand cleanouts make itemseasy to clean in emergencywaiting rooms as well as intreatment areas where spillsare common.

Nurture by Steelcase offerssolid-surface tops as a standardoption to promote cleanabilityin infusion areas. “This ensuresthere are no edges that couldbe exposed to moisture andgerms,” says Carlson. “We offerdrawer liners as an option foreasy cleaning. We also offermodular products that seal tothe floor with cove molding foruse in clinical areas.”

Blood and urine resist-ance. Treatment areas,patient rooms and emergencydepartments are the placesmost likely to experienceexposure to blood and urine.Which furniture fabrics areresistant to them? “Nemschoffoffers vinyl, non-PVC and a

composite film product thatprevent blood and urine frompermanently damaging thefabrics,” says Reynolds.Durawrap, a material used onHerman Miller Healthcare’sCompass system, is durable,easy to clean and resistant toblood and urine.For effective blood/urine

resistance, the best types ofupholstery incorporate non-

CLEAN COMFORTSoltice lounge furniture at KadlecRegional Medical Center in Richland,Wash., features integral cleanouts and replaceable components. KI Inc.

INTERIORS

Cleaning staff must usethe RIGHT cleaning agentsin the PROPER proportions.

MARKETPLACE

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» FLAWLESS FURNISHINGSisms can penetrate into theupholstery and assembly.”Wood that is coated with a

durable lacquer can withstandcleaning disinfectants, accord-ing to Northland’s Drucker. “Catalyzed varnish topcoats

on wood help resist chemicalabrasion,” she explains, “andmanufacturers of catalyzedvarnishes routinely test forabrasion, scratch and chemi-cal resistance.” A responsiblemanufacturer designing furniture for this market mostlikely will research the mostreliable source, she adds.From a consultant’s per-

spective, Barbara Huelat, in -terior design principal withHuelat Parimucha Ltd.,Alexandria, Va., says house-keeping staff should avoidusing harsh chemicals forcleaning because they can betoxic to patients. This is espe-cially critical in infusion areas.

She suggests that hospitalswork with maintenance staffand manufacturers to find thebest solution. One suggestion:Get a sample chair or otherpiece of furniture and let envi-ronmental services (ES) seehow in-house cleaning staffwork with the new piece.

Keeping staff informedWhat is the best way to trainES or housekeeping staff toproperly clean furniture?Experts agree that keepinghousekeeping staff in the loopis important, as are obtainingand using feedback from sup-pliers. Also, it is important tomake use of product manualsthat list cleaning instructions.“Written guidelines should

be available for hospital staffor outsourced cleaning per-sonnel to follow regarding thedisassembly and reassemblyof cleanable components,”

advises Miles of GlobalCare.ES personnel should pro-

vide specific cleaning require-ments to housekeeping staff,he adds, and vendors shouldbe provided with informationabout the cleaning chemicalsthe hospital intends to use pri-or to acquiring new furniture.“This will eliminate issuesafter the product is put inservice.”Huelat agrees that ES and

housekeeping should beinvolved in the selectionprocess. Their input is valu-able because they see whatworks and what does not.However, their recommenda-tions must be balanced againstclinical and user needs.Gurian of Designtex says

housekeeping staff must bemade aware of the upholsterytypes located in a space and therecommended cleaning and dis-infection procedures required.

Also, he urges that purchasingdepartments and specifiersmake their suppliers aware ofthe particular cleaning and dis-infection protocol required invarious hospital areas.

Many factorsMany factors are involved inensuring that hospital furniturestays clean and attractive, evenunder duress. Ness of Champion offers this

advice to meet the challenge:Ensuring optimal cleaning is amultipronged process.Quality components, educa-

tion, customer support andthoughtful design are the bestcombination of elements tosupport effective cleaning andmaintenance of hospital furni-

ture. HFM

Neal Lorenzi is a free-

lance writer based in

Mundelein, Ill.

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