Hygiene has always been essential in the healthcare industry, and although contaminated hands still account for over 50% of all hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), 1 attention is now shifting to the other half – hardware within the healthcare facility. Soiled and contaminated surfaces in a hospital or clinic can become potentially hazardous reservoirs for germs and bacteria. Keeping these clean and disinfected is now considered equally important to hygienic hands in reducing the spread of germs, infections and transmittable diseases through a hospital or clinic.

Solid surfaces are more resistant to environmental contamination and the harbouring of harmful bacteria, as they are less porous than soft furnishings and fixtures. But all solid surfaces are not equal. An article in The Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology illustrates that the bacteria contaminant resistance of plastics (23p) is almost double that of wood (14p).2  Medical grade, plastic-like components, such as thermofoil products are resistant to heat, soiling and scratching. This, plus many other benefits, make thermofoil the ideal choice for rigid surface applications in a medical environment.

Hospital and clinic quality thermofoil components come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and forms, including:

  • Wall panels, cabinets and doors
  • Workstations and rolling furniture
  • Tabletop and bedside surfaces
  • Headwalls, wall guards and bed bumpers
  • Waiting room and ward furnishings
  • Nurse station counters and panels

Design options for thermofoil products and components are almost unlimited. They include realistic finishes like pine woodgrain or white granite. Or, you can opt for a bold and fresh yellow finish or a calming green – the choice is yours. Whatever you decide, medical grade thermofoil products will bring a crisp and hygienic element to your design.

Here are the top 5 benefits of choosing thermofoil for your healthcare facility:

  1. Anti-Scratch

Thermofoil furniture, such as workstations and tables, are more resistant to scratching than soft plastics and wood surfaces. This means there are fewer tiny crevices for bacterial build-up, resulting in a cleaner and more hygienic finish.

  1. Antibacterial

Surfaces for healthcare furniture and components that have been properly thermofoiled have a finish that is resistant to the growth of mold and mildew. This means that bacteria cells, which could lead to the spread of infections throughout a healthcare facility, are unable to grow.

  1. Non-Porous

Thermofoiled surfaces are created by heat sealing a thin layer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to a medium-density fiberboard (MDF) substrate. This results in a non-porous finish, which is both water and stain resistant and easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth.

  1. Malleable

Because the thermofoil membrane is heat pressed to the panel or component, there is no need for banding. Another benefit is that rounded edges are smooth and uniform. The resulting seamless design further reduces the risk of bacteria build up and simplifies the cleaning of cabinets and other multifaceted surfaces.

  1. Durable

Thermofoil products have a solid core which is resistant to warping and bending. The PVC coating provides a barrier that is resistant to most chemicals, won’t discolour or fade and is resilient against heat, dents and dings. This makes thermofoil components extremely durable and easy to sanitize.

At DAGIGA, we have helped customers save thousands with our healthcare quality, assembly-ready thermofoil components. Our qualified engineers have 15+ years of experience and can help you design and produce any custom order to ensure the right solution for your hospital or clinic project.

Talk to a DAGIGA expert today.

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Sources:

  1. Healthcare Cleaning Forum 2018, Open Access Meeting Report, 2018
  2. Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology, Bacterial Contamination of Hospital Surfaces, August 07, 2017