Want to make the hospital experience a little more comfortable for your patients?

It turns out that healthcare chairs, in general, make a bigger difference than you might think. The standard office or dining room chair is a poor replacement for patient-focused furniture.

And while it might not be the first thing on your radar when you think of patient wellness, furniture makes a massive impact. Think about how long your average patient is sitting in a chair during their stay.

They’re there while they’re eating meals, relaxing with family members, working with occupational therapists and more. Good healthcare chairs give your patients comfort when it matters most.

In this post, we’ll cover:

• Why hospital chairs should be a top priority for your healthcare facility
• The link between good seating and patient recovery
• The key features to look for in healthcare chairs
• How good seating solutions can help reduce hospital-acquired complications

Hospital Chairs for Wellness: Why Chairs Matter

Look, I’m not here to oversell the importance of hospital chairs.

They’re chairs. It’s furniture.

But here’s the thing…

The range of hospital chairs available today are making a big difference in patient care. And that’s because these chairs are specifically designed to support the wellness of every patient, during every phase of their recovery.

Patients spend hours every day sitting in chairs in your facility. They could be in chairs for meals, for therapy, for entertainment, for a visit from family members, for when they need to stay off their feet. Whatever the reason, they’re still sitting.

And your patients deserve to sit in comfort during every second of that time.

The latest research on comfort in hospitalised adults shows that somewhere between 55 and 75% of critically ill patients report a moderate level of discomfort during their stay.

Hospital chairs for wellness make a difference

And not just in recovery times or perceived levels of wellness during their stay, either. Chairs that properly support your patients during their recovery help reduce preventable complications.

Smart hospital chairs for wellness do more than simply support patients and make them more comfortable. They help your staff do their jobs better.

Chairs that make getting up easier. Chairs that allow your staff to reposition patients with the help of hydraulic controls. Chairs that make accessing a patient for treatment safer and easier for everyone.

They’re the little things, really, that make a big difference.

Hospital Chairs & Patient Comfort

Patient comfort and patient care go hand in hand. Patients who are uncomfortable experience elevated stress, which delays recovery.

Comfortable seating allows patients to sit with better posture, less pressure on vulnerable areas of the body and engage with their own healthcare.

Modern hospital chairs for wellness are designed with this in mind. They come with features that support pressure relief, proper posture and more.

They even work with the workflow of your own staff members, making it easier to provide patients with quality care.

Features to Consider When Shopping for Healthcare Chairs

The right healthcare chair makes a big difference. Look for:

Ergonomic design

This should support proper posture and reduce strain on the body during prolonged sitting. Supports like lumbar support, seat depth, and armrests should all be considered.

Durability

Hospital chairs take a lot of wear and tear in a high-traffic environment. They should be able to withstand heavy, frequent cleaning without showing it.

Infection control

Easy to clean surfaces with antimicrobial properties support your efforts to maintain a sterile, hygienic environment.

Need-to-know healthcare chair features

• Adjustable components to support individual patient comfort
• Moisture-resistant upholstery
• Weight capacity appropriate for your patients
• Smooth surfaces without unnecessary crevices or seams
• Solid base without tipping hazards

Hospital Chairs & Complications

Something no one really likes to talk about is the preventable complications that can occur during hospital stays. Pressure ulcers, poor circulation and muscle strain can all occur because of inadequate seating.

The healthcare furniture market is taking note, with the industry focusing heavily on ergonomically-designed chairs for healthcare facilities that support comfort and mobility.

The right hospital chairs help by distributing weight more evenly, as well as supporting the body in more natural, healthy positions. Surgical patients, for example, need chairs that support them without putting pressure on surgical sites.

Hospital Chairs for Every Room in Your Facility

Different rooms in your facility need different types of hospital chairs.

Patient Rooms

Needs to be comfortable for both the patient and their visitors. Easy to move and clean, and don’t skimp on support.

Waiting Areas

High-traffic areas need to support a good deal of wear and tear while also maintaining comfort and good looks.

Treatment Rooms

Treatment chairs need to support the specific treatments you offer in your space. Chairs for chemotherapy or dialysis, for example, need specialised features to support patients through their treatment.

Smart Integration and Materials for Modern Chairs

Smart integration is one of the features changing the game in hospital furniture. Hospital chairs today are showing up with features like integrated pressure sensors and heating elements.

Beyond just cool and convenient, features like pressure sensors can alert staff when a patient has been sitting for too long and prevent pressure ulcers before they start.

Hospital chairs also have to meet multiple other requirements, like being comfortable and durable, as well as easy to sanitise. Antimicrobial fabrics support your cleaning efforts, and stop the spread of infection, without skimping on comfort for your patients.

Construction is also important. The fewer crevices and seams a chair has, the easier it is to sanitise and keep your patients safe.

Hospital Chairs with Accessibility Features

You also want your chairs to support patients’ independence while they’re in your care. Sturdy armrests that help with standing, wheels that lock into place and appropriate seat heights make a world of difference.

For a patient with limited mobility, these accessibility features can be the difference between helplessness and dignity.

Investing in Your Healthcare Chairs

Hospital chairs are an investment, but one that pays off. Healthcare facilities that invest in providing proper seating for their patients report better patient comfort scores, lower complication rates and can even see shorter hospital stays.

The key is to choose chairs that support the needs of your facility. Patient demographics, procedures commonly performed in your facility and spatial limitations will all factor into which chairs you should choose.

Hospital Chairs and Patient Wellness: Bringing It All Together

Hospital chairs are important, people.

Hospital chairs make a difference in patient wellness and comfort during recovery. Good chairs help reduce the risk of preventable complications and support your staff as they do their jobs.

Key factors in modern hospital chairs for wellness are ergonomic designs that support good posture, materials that are durable, comfortable and easy to sanitise and features like smart integration that add value to both your patients and your staff.

The right chairs can make a big difference in your patients’ experience in your facility. And they help show your patients that you value their comfort as much as their recovery.