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Hygiene is now regarded as the
most important performance criteria in many healthcare
applications in order to combat Hospital Acquired Infections
(HAIs), antibiotic-resistant bacteria, MRSA, E-coli, Clostridium
Difficile and so on. Single rooms are becoming more popular as
physical separation, inevitably involving a doorset, is the best
way to reduce cross-infection risk.
'If the burden of healthcare-associated infection is to be
reduced, it is imperative that architects, designers and
builders be partners with healthcare staff and infection control
teams when planning new facilities or renovating older
buildings'.
HFN 30 - Infection Control in the Built Environment - calls
for smooth, hard impervious surfaces which are easy to clean and
durable. They should be sufficiently robust to withstand the
prolonged use of disinfectants such as chlorine-releasing agents
or alcohol-impregnated wipes. Ledges, recesses and right angles
where dust particles can be trapped should be avoided to allow
ease of cleaning. It should be ensured that surfaces will not be
physically affected by detergents and disinfectants and that
they will dry quickly. Of course, these requirements should
apply to doorsets in hygiene sensitive environments.
Appendix 2 - HFN 30 identifies three groups of areas, each of
which require similar levels of infection control as detailed
below:
GROUP 1 - LOW RISK AREAS
Leaderflush Shapland doorset recommendation: flush primed
doorset ready for site finishing: available from the Designer
Range.
- Office areas
- Corridors
- Plant rooms
- Service ducts
GROUP 2 - MEDIUM RISK AREAS
Leaderflush Shapland doorset recommendation: laminate-faced
doorleafs, primed or polished hardwood frames: available from
the Designer Range.
- A & E clinical rooms
- Radiology (diagnostic imaging)
- General surgery recovery units
- Wards
- Nuclear medicine (diagnostic imaging)
- Admissions/discharge
- Echocardiology (heart ultrasound)
- Other clinical areas
- Out-patient department
- Pharmacy (general)
- Laboratories
- Hydrotherapy pools
- Endoscopy clinics
- Examination rooms
GROUP 3 - HIGH RISK AREAS
Leaderflush Shapland doorset recommendation: laminate - or
plastics-faced doorleafs, rounded profiles, flush-glazed vision
panels, plastics - sheathed frames/architraves, silicone-sealed
against surrounding finishes available from the Plasform Range.
- Day surgery
- Intensive care
- Operating suites
- High dependency units
- Dialysis & transplant units
- Oncology (cancer treatment)
- Cardiology
- Cardiac catheterisation suite
- Pharmacy clean room
- Sterile services departments
Leaderflush Shapland offers a wide range of top quality
doorset materials to suit various hygiene requirements and
cleaning regimes, and anti-microbial coatings can be included.
In particular, the Plasform Range of fully encapsulated,
postformed doorsets is suitable for the most demanding
situations including surgery suites, pathology labs and
pharmacies. Data sheets are available on chemical resistance of
all doorset materials.
Plasform doorsets avoid sharp corners and are easy to clean
The Plasform WR frame gives a smooth, curved and water
resistant junction with floor finishes
| Quality products are considered
essential in NHS guidance:
"Common pitfalls arise from a number of pressures, for
example the pressure to choose the cheapest design or
product. The best designs or products may be more expensive
initially but in the long term they will inevitably realise
cost benefits as they may prevent outbreaks, last longer,
require less maintenance and be more durable and easier to
clean."
Taken from HFN 30 - Infection Control in the Built
Environment.
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