Even though interior design is often first to be cut from a healthcare facility’s budget, it is perhaps one of the most important investments its operators can make. When layouts are optimized for efficiency, quality of care improves. And an organization can lower operating costs when it makes smart updates to material, lighting and equipment. It may not seem significant, but the overall design of a healthcare facility directly correlates to successful patient outcomes.

For this reason, it is crucial that healthcare facilities make the appearance of their lobbies and patient rooms a priority. But since budgets are always a concern, the design process requires intensive planning to deliver cost-effective interiors.

Purchase wisely

Consider all the interior design elements that go into a healthcare facility: flooring and wall coverings, lighting and furnishings. The design process is not a simple one. Facility managers should go through the following steps — with their designer, if they’re working with one — to ensure they are making the smartest, most cost-effective decisions for their organization.

1. Take advantage of mock-ups: Many vendors will allow a trial setup of the products they are trying to sell. This allows the hospital’s operators to get a feel for the items they are considering before having to purchase them for the entire facility. They can try them out in real-life situations to see what finishes and furnishings will work the best for their needs.
2. Observe the products in use: Visit other healthcare facilities that are currently using the items being considered. Not only does this allow designers to see how the items wear with regular use, it also provides them the opportunity to ask staff members how difficult the item is to clean and maintain.
3. Consider the lifetime costs: It’s not enough to choose the lowest price tag — the overall cost of each item needs to be computed and compared. Sometimes, the least expensive option ends up requiring way more cleaning and repair work, which all adds to its lifetime cost.
4. Remember future plans: If a huge remodel or expansion is planned in the next five years, it hardly makes sense for a healthcare organization to invest in materials that are made to last 10 years or more. Instead, opt for lower quality upfront, knowing it only has to last for a limited amount of time.
5. Stick with neutrals: Making a statement certainly has its place in the main lobby, as it influences a visitor’s first impression; however, when it comes to patient rooms and waiting areas, neutral is always better. That way, if an item requires replacement sooner than expected, it will be easy to cohesively integrate a replacement into the room.
6. Order excess stock carefully: Many vendors will try to persuade designers to purchase more inventory than is initially needed so that they can have some on hand in case damage occurs. Stocking a few extra pieces is not a bad idea, but purchasing a huge quantity is. Not only does it cost money to store these excess items, it is also challenging to keep track of what’s available when these items are needed.

Organize promptly

Once all of the items have been acquired, it is crucial that these purchase records are documented efficiently. The healthcare facility professional should set aside a file just for the owner’s manuals and instructions of every product in use. Additionally, the vendors’ contact information should also be kept in a safe and easy-to-find place in case any issues arise.

Since planning ahead is the secret to saving money, it’s also important to store all of the names and colours of all the materials used. That way, when it comes time to make repairs or touch up paint, it will be easy to find the exact item needed, assuming it’s still in production.

Install properly

When it comes time to set up a space, every item will have its recommended procedures; however, these procedures are not always recommended with healthcare applications in mind. Some materials and furnishings will require extra treatment in order to extend their life expectancy.

For example, when installing the flooring under the patient beds it is a good idea to apply a stronger adhesive to the subflooring than the manufacturer recommends. This area is especially prone to cracking, and the extra strength will make sure the floor doesn’t have to be replaced prematurely.

Another wise, proactive step a designer can take is to observe other facilities to determine where the majority of their damage occurs. This way, extra measures can be taken during the installation process to prevent these mishaps.

For instance, in many healthcare facilities, the furniture gets moved around a lot. Whether it’s for cleaning purposes or simply to rearrange, the staff tend to slide these heavy items instead of lifting them, which can cause undue damage to the floors. To prevent this, the designer may want to consider replacing the legs of sleeper sofas (and the like) with lockable casters.

Maintain regularly

Proper maintenance is crucial for healthcare organizations to get the most out of their facility’s furnishings and materials. Of course, they should always pay attention to the cleaning guidelines set by public health agencies. But beyond that, regular checks are the key to keeping items up to standard.

Every facility should implement an annual inventory check, in which each item is surveyed to determine its current condition (a one-to-10 scale will suffice), how much longer it is expected to last, and any work that is required at the moment. These recordings should be tracked year to year so the facility has a clear picture of the upcoming costs and whether the items are lasting as long as was expected.

When it comes to the success of a healthcare facility, its appearance clearly plays a crucial role. The last thing a manager wants is for their interior design to be what’s holding them back from improved patient outcomes, lower operating costs and increased quality of care. The design process for delivering cost-effective interiors may seem daunting, but the efforts are well worth its benefits.

Cameron Forte is the sales manager at Interior Design Solutions. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the firm helps hospital and other healthcare facilities all across the country change the appearance of their offices with different architectural finishes.