How Door Closers Are Used in Hospitals to Manage the Flow of Patients and Staff

The door closer is an optimal technology that allows for the management of patient and staff flow within a hospital facility. Thanks to this system, accessibility is simplified and security is optimized. The speed of opening as well as the guarantee of optimal hygiene are essential elements within hospitals. Door closers are partly developed to meet these requirements.

What is a door closer?

A door closer consists of a spring or piston that allows a door to open and close automatically, thanks to a release system. It reduces noise by softening the slamming of the door when it closes. It is also an ingenious system to combat drafts and enhance the accessibility of a location.

Door closers must meet certain characteristics defined by the European standard EN 1154:

• The opening brake is adjustable. It prevents violent opening of the door, which is an advantage in hospital environments to avoid accidents.

• The adjustable closing speed allows control over its automatic closing.

• The adjustment of the final snap is subject to regulation. Indeed, before fully closing, the door pauses its movement for a few seconds so that the slamming is minimal.

• The adjustable delay makes passage easier in many circumstances. This feature is particularly useful in nursing homes as well as in hospitals.

There are alsotwo types of installation.

The first is standard and is positioned on the door leaf on the hinge side. It can also be placed on the frame, that is, on the side opposite the hinges. There is also the solution of reverse installation. In this case, the installation is done on the frame on the hinge side or on the door leaf on the side opposite the hinges. These two types of installation allow installers to adapt the installation according to the characteristics of the hospital structure.

There are several models of door closers and accessories that adapt to different types of public buildings.

• The scissor arm, also called the standard arm: the device allows for 100% of the closing characteristics of the body to be maintained. Iron is the most commonly used material with this type of model.

• The sliding arm involves two technologies. The first combines a pinion and rack body. The second consists of an improved body that gives the device greater flexibility. This is a guarantee of safety in hospitals.

In order to find the right equipment for the hospital structure, it is important to consult experts who will present the different categories of door closers. The delivery of parts is generally done on the day of installation by Dormakaba technicians. In case of breakdown or malfunction, if it is necessary to change one or more parts, Dormakaba takes care of shipping the parts to your technical service.

Managing flow in hospitals

Managing flow in hospitals can be facilitated by the use ofdoor closers. However, managing flow in a hospital environment is a major challenge. Depending on the department, emergencies may require rapid and wide automatic opening of doors.

Accessibility

The accessibility of a hospital department requires specific arrangements. Thus, with door closers, it becomes easy to access a specific area since the door opens and closes easily thanks to high-performance devices. You just need to push the door for it to open. The solution is perfect when caregivers are transporting a patient on a bed. It is also particularly effective for people with reduced mobility.

One of the main security issues in hospitals is accessibility. Indeed, some departments must not be accessible to the general public, for reasons of safety, hygiene, but also confidentiality. Nevertheless, these requirements call for automatic management of the opening and closing of doors, via an accreditation badge, an application, or even video control. Efficient solutions therefore exist.

The cleanliness of doors in hospitals: a crucial health issue

When a hospital facility opts for the solution of automatic doors equipped with door closers, it is betting on optimizing the fight against health risks related to the transmission of diseases by contact between skin and equipment. Thanks to presence sensors, accessibility is easy and prevention is optimal.

Indeed, the cleanliness of doors is of crucial importance for maintaining a healthy hospital environment. Doors and their handles are touched by many users. This use facilitatesthe spread of infectionsin the absence of thorough maintenance and cleaning.

Even if doors in hospitals are often made from special and antibacterial materials, some failures can occur during cleaning. The use of door closers is therefore an effective way to avoid cross-contamination.

To find a high-performance door closer, it is advisable to refer to quality products, distributed and installed by a brand recognized for its expertise. The system undeniably allows for optimal management of the flow of patients and healthcare staff.