Common Healthcare Furniture Buying Mistakes You Need To Avoid
Buying healthcare furniture for your facility requires some important considerations that go beyond the aesthetics of the furniture. It is important to ensure that your furniture looks good. Apart from the appearance of your furniture, it is also important to consider the safety and comfort of your employees and patients. When you avoid the common mistakes illustrated in this article, you will ensure you choose the right furniture for your healthcare facility that will serve the needs of your employees and patients.
Choosing wrong fabrics
Choosing a fabric based on its appearance does not guarantee that it will fit the needs of your facility. Vinyl chair fabric serves as a good example of where things can go wrong. When buying furniture for your facility, you should avoid choosing any vinyl you come across. You should specify a vinyl that is made to healthcare standards and can withstand regular cleaning with bleach to get rid of bacteria and other harmful pathogens. You will also discover that a special type of antimicrobial vinyl can be used if you want a material that can withstand microbials. Choosing the right kind of furniture will ensure that your furniture can withstand constant and heavy use.
Consider the price
It is good to save money when buying furniture but you should ensure you give equal weight to the quality. To make the best decision when buying furniture from healthcare furniture makers, you should consider the expected life expectancy of your furniture. If a less expensive chair that is designed for occasional use weighed against a more expensive chair that is designed to withstand wear and tear, you can be tempted to choose the cheaper one. However, this would be a mistake if the chair will see heavy use. Replacement parts could cost you more in the long term and cancel your initial investment.
Not checking existing furniture
When it comes to replacing your existing furniture, it is important to take your time and check what has worked in the past and what didn’t work. This process can help you refine your expectations when it comes to your purchases. It can also be useful to ask for input from your staff members. There are some important things you may never know if you do not ask your staff members. For example, if the stools and tables in your exam rooms are hard to adjust. You could never know this information if you do not ask your staff members. When you take your time to assess the furniture you have, you can avoid making mistakes you have already made in the past.
Choosing products that aren’t rated for everyone
If your staff members and patients had the same body type then buying healthcare furniture would be very easy. However, that is not the case. You should be able to accommodate everyone depending on their body sizes and shapes. For instance, if an office chair is rated for use by people up to 250 pounds, it would be problematic for people who need more support. You should choose furniture that is rated for everyone