Hospitals are extremely busy and demanding environments, requiring hospital & medical matting in many different areas for a variety of uses. In this blog we set out to give you a very brief overview of floor mats for hospitals in order to help you decide which mat you need to help for your particular circumstance.
Uses of Floor Mats for Hospitals:
Common uses for mats in hospitals include:
- Improve hygiene levels
Entrance mats stop dirt coming in from the outside from both foot traffic and wheeled traffic. The more dirt that is kept out, the less bacteria and germs are brought in.
Specialist mats, such as anti-microbial mats, can also help to kill germs coming into contact with the mat.
- Improve safety
Hard floors can become slippery, especially where liquid is involved. Mats placed in strategic areas can help stop slips, trips and falls.
- Spillage containment
Mats are good at mopping up spillages and holding onto them, preventing spillages leaking onto surrounding floors, until cleaned.
- Increase worker productivity
Many jobs in hospitals involve staff standing or walking around in the same areas all day. Anti Fatigue mats placed in these areas can provide comfort and stimulation to help prevent tired feet and aching limbs.
The areas where floor mats are used in hospitals
- Entrances
Effective entrance matting can stop up to 90% of dirt coming into the hospital. Hospitals usually have several entrances and have extremely high footfall, which will require high quality entrance matting in order for it to perform well over time.
Main entrances would be better using an entrance matting system.
Entrance mats need to be easy for wheeled traffic, such as wheel chairs, and the disabled to pass over, so bevelled edges or low profile mats are a must in hospital entrances.
- Bedside
Mats can be placed beside beds to help stop bedside accidents becoming an issue, such as those associated with toilet accidents or sickness. Anti microbial mats may be used to help stop the spread of germs and bacteria from such accidents.
Cushioned mats may also be used bedside to help prevent injury from those who have problems getting in and out of bed and are liable to fall over or fall out of bed.
- Theatres / Reception areas
Staff, including surgeons in theatres or receptionists for example, have to stand for long periods of time in the same place whilst working. Anti Fatigue Mats reduce fatigue of the staff involved which can help keep staff more alert and able to perform their jobs more effectively.
- Cleaning areas / Washrooms
Areas where water and spillages may come into contact with the floor can create a slip hazard, such as in washrooms, by sinks, in handgel and scrub down areas. Mats placed in and around these areas will help to mop up or contain any spillages and prevent slips and falls.
- Vending Machines
Food and drink spillages can cause a slip hazard if not dealt with promptly. Placing mats beneath vending machines can go some way to eradicate the problem and prevent slips and falls in these areas.
Cleaning of mats
Mats which remove dirt and mop up spillages will also be holding onto the associated bacteria, so it is important that they do not become a breeding ground for germs.
Floor mats for hospitals should be easy to clean. Many mats used in hospitals are launderable, so they can be put straight into washing machines. Some mats are designed to go into auto clave machines, used to clean other hospital equipment, which will completely sterilise and sanitise the mats.
Need any more help choosing?
We know that everyone has their own unique set of circumstances and will need a solution to fit. At Mats4U we have a team who can help you get the exact mat you need to do the job right. Simply call us on 0121 313 6748 or speak to us via Live Chat and we'll be happy to help you.
