The Anatomy of a Hospital: Choosing Automatic Doors for Healthcare

Hygienic. Accessible. Convenient. You guessed it – we’re describing automatic doors. More specifically, we’re describing the things that make automatic doors perfect for healthcare environments.

For the contractors and architects who design and build our hospitals, developing a healthcare facility is no easy task. Hospitals are highly complex buildings with a variety of rooms. Plus, the choices these professionals make during design and construction could have a huge impact on hospital staff and patients down the line.

Whether it’s new construction, expansion, or renovation, one of the choices is simple: automatic doors. But with such a variety of rooms, how do you know what kind of door you need for each part of your healthcare facility? What features should you look for?

We can tell you.

Entrances

Hospital entrances should allow high-volume traffic while remaining touchless. The goal is doors that are welcoming and convenient for staff and patients alike.

With that in mind, revolving and sliding doors are the top pick for main entryways.

o   Automatic revolving doors are ideal for high traffic, enabling multiple people to pass through at once. These are also the best overall option for climate control – keeping lobby spaces just the right temperature and reducing energy costs.

o   Sliders are also a fantastic option, which allows for two-way traffic. For hospitals that need extra protection, you can also consider a Hurricane or Forced Entry Resistant sliding door. 

Corridors

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing doors for the halls of your hospital. Stack pressure, airflow, and access control are just a few.

For these spaces, your best bet is probably an automatic swing door operator, such as the ASSA ABLOY SW200i. Choose a swing door operator with the following benefits:

o   Stack pressure compensation, which allows for the door to adjust to changes in variable pressures caused by the many levels of a hospital building.

o   Secure closing features like latch retry and astragal coordination, which make sure your door closes properly and securely.

o   Security and fire system integration.

o   Wave plate activation – not only is this a more hygienic solution than traditional push plates, it also lowers noise levels in your facility.

o   Easy conversion from existing manual doors.

ICU

In intensive care units, or anywhere where a separation of space is required, look for ICU/CCU doors. These doors are designed for maximum convenience and hygiene.

Choose from a full spectrum of ICU options, depending on your specific needs: standard sliding, touchless, telescopic, fold, or swing. Whatever you chose, make sure your choice provides:

o   Spacious openings that allow easy patient and equipment transport. 

o   Electric glass integration, which gives patients extra privacy.

o   Flush Bolt-Free design – meaning door can be quickly and easily broken out when the need arises. 

Cleanroom Environments

Cleanrooms require exceptionally safety and control. Without a proper entrance/exit, this safety and control is compromised. That’s why cleanroom doors feature a nearly airtight seal that minimizes pressure drop and safely protects your environment from drafts, moisture, dust, and dirt.

When looking for a state-of-the-art cleanroom door, just make sure it is tested and rated for ISO 3 (class 1) cleanrooms (good news: ours is).

Restrooms

Switching to automatic doors for hospital restrooms should be a no-brainer. After all, most bathrooms are automated these days. You have automatic sinks, automatic dryers, and automatic flush – but when you get to the door, you still have to use your hands? No thanks!

Bathrooms are another place where a touchless swing door operator is the perfect solution. In this case, you might be better off with a low energy, retrofit option. Shameless plug… we just so happen to have one of those! Check out the ASSA ABLOY SW60.

Look for these features:

o   Touchless, wave plate activation (goodbye, germs).  

o   Slim design that will fit over almost any door opening.

o   Quick, easy installation. 

Still need help choosing?

ASSA ABLOY Architectural Support

Our architectural staff can help you evaluate the needs of your facility, diagnose your issues, and prescribe an appropriate solution.

Service

Like the human body, doors need a little doctoring from time to time! You wouldn’t choose your own doctor haphazardly, after all.  Looking for a service provider for your hospital doors? Here’s the kind of service you can expect from ASSA ABLOY:

o   On demand, 24/7 service.

o   Servicing all brands – not just our own.

o   AAADM certified.

o   Local and regional. We can handle the scale and diversity of healthcare organizations.

Planned Maintenance – a check-up for your door

Think of it as your yearly visit to the doctor’s office… Regular door inspections enable you to repair it before it breaks!

We understand that you have strict protocols that protect your workers and your patients. They keep your hospital running efficiently and safely.

With planned maintenance, the key word is planned. When inspections and updates are scheduled in advance, that means you can avoid emergency re-routes and protocol issues.