Menu
18/11/2011
Bedside Furniture To Counter Infections
New bedside furniture designs can reduce healthcare associated infections, according to the Department of Health.
The specialist furniture will be made available today for the NHS to purchase after testing showed positive patient and staff feedback.
After being trialled on wards in eight hospitals across England, the new designs for a patient chair, bedside cabinet, over-bed table and a commode were found to be easier and quicker to clean, and will further help in the fight to reduce healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) such as MRSA, C. difficile and MSSA.
Health Minister Simon Burns said: "Cleanliness is vital in preventing healthcare associated infections. The NHS has already made significant reductions of MRSA bloodstream infections and C. difficile, but there is still room for further progress.
“These four innovative and user-friendly furniture designs – now available for hospitals to buy – provide additional ways to help to reduce these infections. They will make it easier for staff to keep wards cleaner and help combat the spread of infections. This means keeping patients healthier, as well as saving the NHS money in the long term.”
The evaluation feedback showed positive reactions from both patients and staff.
The Design Bugs Out project – a partnership between the Department of Health and the Design Council – brought together clinical specialists, patients and frontline hospital staff with designers and manufacturers to produce furniture designs that are not only easier and quicker to clean but functional and comfortable and at a comparable price.
The Government said that hospital furniture design had not been assessed for many years, or been so thoroughly evaluated.
The ergonomically sound, robust and sustainable designs are the first to be tested by an independent laboratory for 'cleanability' in comparison to existing hospital furniture, as well as user-friendliness by ward staff, patients and visitors.
The four pieces proved to be easier to clean after undergoing rigorous assessments that replicated routine hospital cleaning procedures of typically contaminated hospital furniture.
(DW)
The specialist furniture will be made available today for the NHS to purchase after testing showed positive patient and staff feedback.
After being trialled on wards in eight hospitals across England, the new designs for a patient chair, bedside cabinet, over-bed table and a commode were found to be easier and quicker to clean, and will further help in the fight to reduce healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) such as MRSA, C. difficile and MSSA.
Health Minister Simon Burns said: "Cleanliness is vital in preventing healthcare associated infections. The NHS has already made significant reductions of MRSA bloodstream infections and C. difficile, but there is still room for further progress.
“These four innovative and user-friendly furniture designs – now available for hospitals to buy – provide additional ways to help to reduce these infections. They will make it easier for staff to keep wards cleaner and help combat the spread of infections. This means keeping patients healthier, as well as saving the NHS money in the long term.”
The evaluation feedback showed positive reactions from both patients and staff.
The Design Bugs Out project – a partnership between the Department of Health and the Design Council – brought together clinical specialists, patients and frontline hospital staff with designers and manufacturers to produce furniture designs that are not only easier and quicker to clean but functional and comfortable and at a comparable price.
The Government said that hospital furniture design had not been assessed for many years, or been so thoroughly evaluated.
The ergonomically sound, robust and sustainable designs are the first to be tested by an independent laboratory for 'cleanability' in comparison to existing hospital furniture, as well as user-friendliness by ward staff, patients and visitors.
The four pieces proved to be easier to clean after undergoing rigorous assessments that replicated routine hospital cleaning procedures of typically contaminated hospital furniture.
(DW)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2013
Stockport Furniture Store Collapses Into Street
A Stockport furniture store has collapsed into the street without warning, crushing a car. According to reports at around 19:00 the upper floors of the building fell onto Little Underbank, leaving just a chimney wall and part of the ground floor of the furniture store standing.
Stockport Furniture Store Collapses Into Street
A Stockport furniture store has collapsed into the street without warning, crushing a car. According to reports at around 19:00 the upper floors of the building fell onto Little Underbank, leaving just a chimney wall and part of the ground floor of the furniture store standing.
27 October 2008
'Minor Earthquake' Felt In Midlands
A minor earthquake has been felt in some parts of Midlands, according to police. The earthquake, described by the British Geological Survey (BGS) as "weak", struck at 6pm on Sunday night, after police received reports of it affecting the area between Malvern and Worcester. The earthquake had a magnitude of 3.
'Minor Earthquake' Felt In Midlands
A minor earthquake has been felt in some parts of Midlands, according to police. The earthquake, described by the British Geological Survey (BGS) as "weak", struck at 6pm on Sunday night, after police received reports of it affecting the area between Malvern and Worcester. The earthquake had a magnitude of 3.
10 August 2005
Student designs smart patient ID wristband
A university student has designed a reusable intelligent identity wristband, which could help eliminate patients being given the incorrect medicine. Claire Dunne, an Industrial Design and Technology student at Brunel University designed the wristband, called ‘Brilliant’. The wristband works by using a sensor to match medicines against the patient.
Student designs smart patient ID wristband
A university student has designed a reusable intelligent identity wristband, which could help eliminate patients being given the incorrect medicine. Claire Dunne, an Industrial Design and Technology student at Brunel University designed the wristband, called ‘Brilliant’. The wristband works by using a sensor to match medicines against the patient.
10 January 2013
Damien Hirst Designs 2013 Brit Award
The BRIT Awards have revealed the design for the 2013 statue by Damien Hirst. Hirst has become the third British creative to put his unique stamp on the iconic BRITs trophy. On designing the statue Hirst said: "I am honoured to be asked to design this year's statue, it has become such an iconic award, I love the BRITs.
Damien Hirst Designs 2013 Brit Award
The BRIT Awards have revealed the design for the 2013 statue by Damien Hirst. Hirst has become the third British creative to put his unique stamp on the iconic BRITs trophy. On designing the statue Hirst said: "I am honoured to be asked to design this year's statue, it has become such an iconic award, I love the BRITs.
16 July 2014
'Heathrow City' Plans Unveiled
New designs commissioned by Transport for London for 'Heathrow City' have been unveiled. Accommodating almost 200,000 homes, parkland and a factory, the newly designed 'city' is a proposed redevelopment of the site should Heathrow Airport close.
'Heathrow City' Plans Unveiled
New designs commissioned by Transport for London for 'Heathrow City' have been unveiled. Accommodating almost 200,000 homes, parkland and a factory, the newly designed 'city' is a proposed redevelopment of the site should Heathrow Airport close.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
