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"This Chair Is Clean"​ - Or Not!

Hospitals across Canada are reacting to the Covid 19 outbreak with plans and policies to combat this new international crisis.

The first line of defence is often through enforcing PPE usages such as masks and handwashing in preventing the spread of infection but is it enough?

There is a shortage of supplies and the front lines are at risk as a result. It also means that the non-clinical consumer cannot purchase these items as the shelves of retails stores are bare! The bottom line is, we don't have the protection we need to contain this virus and so it has to go beyond the first lines of defence.

With our hands as the prime culprit of transmission, it goes beyond personal hygiene; the whole healthcare environment needs to be disinfected thoroughly and in some cases, this is not possible. The image at the top is a recliner from a hospital in Canada. The general public may be unaware that, wood surfaces being porous, cannot be thoroughly cleaned. In this case, it is the very place that hands will go as patients ingress or egress from the chair. These arm caps are not only wood but the coating has been worn through to raw wood, presenting a sponge-like surface for microbes. It has been known for many years that wood presents a risk in healthcare settings but it is still often observed on chairs and in areas where patients will come in contact with it.

Additionally, you will see a tear in the vinyl on the front of this chair. Behind the vinyl of every soft-seating chair, is the foam used to provide comfort for the patient. Any fluids will be soaked up and retained inside this chair, in an area that the disinfectants will not reach.

To prevent F.A.I. (Furniture Acquired Infection) all soft-seating should be upholstered in hospital-grade vinyl that can be wiped with commonly used healthcare cleaners, no tears and no exposed wood. There are many options on the market today that use polyurethane, upholstered or solid surfaces arm caps that are non-porous. The vinyl selection is also incredibly important as it is at least 50% of what makes a good chair "great"! Be sure to consult a specialist that understands healthcare upholstery when purchasing new chairs, it will make a huge difference to its longevity!