Hospitals play an important role in public health, but like any business, they face limitations in terms of resources and physical space.
This is why hospital room divider systems offer a practical solution for many hospital managers.
While not every hospital is designed to use space efficiently, room dividers can transform available areas so that they meet demands.
Why Hospitals Should Use Room Dividers
Room dividers bring a range of benefits, not only for hospital management but also for patients. Here are 5 key reasons to consider using them:
1. Maximizing Space Efficiency
The primary benefit of room dividers is their ability to optimize space.
For instance, hospitals struggling with overcrowding can reconfigure large rooms into multiple smaller ones, which creates additional space for patients By implementing dividers across various large rooms, hospital managers can effectively address capacity issues, which allow them to treat more patients without expanding the physical footprint.
2. Enhancing Infection Control
Controlling the spread of infection is another important factor to consider, especially considering patients with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of infection.
In open spaces, room dividers can create isolated areas to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. However, this also means selecting dividers designed for isolation purposes.
3. Improving Patient Privacy
In addition to infection control, patient privacy should be considered. The psychological well-being of patients can have a direct impact on recovery.
In large, open rooms where patients are treated together, the lack of privacy can increase stress and anxiety, potentially slowing recovery.
Hospital room dividers, however, provide the necessary separation needed to give each patient the privacy they need to interact with healthcare providers and family members in a calming environment.
4. Supporting Agile Workflow Adaptations
We would also like to note that hospital room dividers are not only used for space optimization. They can be used to offer flexibility as well.
Modular hospital room dividers can be quickly deployed to manage patient surges and can be repurposed for emergency situations—or be used to maintain functionality during renovations.
This adaptability ensures that hospitals can respond promptly to changing needs without compromising patient care.
5. Reducing Noise for Better Recovery
Noise reduction is another factor in patient recovery.
Hospitals are often noisy environments, with sounds from other patients, medical equipment, and staff, and the fact is: loud noises in hospitals can increase stress and disrupt sleep.
However, hospital room dividers can be used to reduce the amount of noise that is spread to a particular area, and many room dividers incorporate soundproofing materials that help create a quieter environment.
Types of Hospital Room Divider Systems
Various types of room dividers are available for hospitals, each offering different levels of effectiveness. Here are the most popular options you should consider:
Cubicle Curtains
Cubicle curtains are the most common type of room divider, typically used to separate patient beds in large rooms. While they provide visual privacy, they offer little in terms of sound reduction or infection control.
Folding Screens
Folding screens are a more robust option than cubicle curtains, consisting of connected panels that can be folded for storage. They offer better sound reduction but still lack the infection control capabilities needed in a hospital setting.
Sliding Panels
Sliding panel dividers offer a more permanent solution than folding screens. They’re installed on a track system and open and close to provide privacy and noise reduction. However, they fall short when it comes to infection control.
Modular Temporary Wall Systems
For hospitals requiring the highest levels of infection control, modular temporary wall systems are the best choice. These dividers, which can be used as hospital room dividers, offer visual privacy, noise reduction, and effective infection control, making them an ideal solution for creating isolated patient rooms.
These systems are designed to be durable, easy to sterilize, and quickly reconfigurable, offering hospitals the flexibility to adapt to changing needs.
The Top Choice: SwiftWall Flex
Among the options available, SwiftWall Flex stands out as the premier choice for hospitals. It’s a modular temporary wall system specifically engineered for healthcare environments, meeting the highest level of infection control standards, including ICRA Class V.
SwiftWall Flex is also adjustable, which allows it to fit various ceiling heights, and it’s made from non-hygroscopic materials that make it easy to clean and maintain.
Additionally, it installs 5X faster than traditional wall systems.
To see how SwiftWall Flex has transformed hospital spaces while maintaining rigorous infection control standards, explore our healthcare case studies.
Using Hospital Room Divider Systems from Swiftwall®
SwiftWall is committed to providing hospitals with room divider systems that meet the highest standards of care.
With SwiftWall Flex, hospitals can efficiently manage space and ensure patient safety while offering a sanitary area that is quiet and conducive to healing.
For more information on how SwiftWall Flex can enhance your facility, contact our experts today!