Originally published at diabeteslife.org
Hospital hallways are busy and often populated by nurses, doctors, family members, and patients with physical or mental challenges and disabilities. Everything about them, from the floor to the walls, must be safe and ergonomic.
In this environment, sharp edges like wall corners can quickly become risky for people with impaired mobility or vision, fast-moving staff, and fragile equipment. One of the best solutions for these edges is padding the corners with softer materials like rubber or plastic to protect everyone moving through the halls.
Here’s how durable, easy-to-clean corner guards can minimize the risk sharp corners pose and make the hospital’s environment friendlier and safer for everyone in it.
What is Wall Corner Safety in Hospitals?
Wall corner safety is installing corner guards to protect patients from the sharp edges of hospital corners. Corner guards are typically made of durable materials that are softer than the walls’ materials, like plastic and rubber.
Hospitals usually also have other sharp structural elements, such as window sills, radiators, and tables, making them potentially risky for patients and staff. Applying corner guards in walls and these elements softens impacts, preventing injury and protecting the facilities from damage.
Corner safety is especially useful in high-traffic areas that see many staff members, patients, and equipment moving through every day. Repairs would disrupt the flow and bottleneck your hallways, making corner safety a proactive preventive measure.
What Are the Benefits of Wall Corner Safety in Hospitals?
Some of the main reasons for having wall corners in hospitals include:
●Avoid Impact: Corner guards of a contrasting color to the wall are visible and easy to spot and avoid. This is great for patients with vision impairment who may otherwise walk into them and hurt themselves, even if handrails are on the walls to guide them when walking unassisted.
●Improve Hygiene: Good hygiene is paramount in any medical facility, and corner guards can be easier to clean than bare walls, depending on the material.
●Reduce Repair and Repainting Costs Over Time: Constant upkeep eats into any business’s budget. Corner guards reduce the gradual wear and tear of daily functioning, saving resources.
●Prevent Injury: Rubber wall corner guards are softer than concrete and other construction materials. As a result, colliding with a rubber corner guard is less likely to result in injury than colliding with a bare corner, helping protect patients, staff, and equipment.
Corner Safety in Hospitals Protects Patients, Staff, and Equipment
Corner guards are an often overlooked but critical element in creating a safe healthcare environment that promotes the well-being of patients and healthcare professionals.
They also help protect fragile and valuable equipment from damage, minimize wear and tear on walls and columns, and make navigation more accessible for visually impaired patients.
Provide your patients and staff with a more functional and comforting environment with corner safety solutions for hospitals. When you’re looking for excellence, addressing even the smallest details can make the difference.
