Each year, it is estimated that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect one in 31 patients during their hospital stay, leading to extended treatments, readmissions, and significant financial and reputational challenges for healthcare facilities (Lybert & Rohde, 2024). As healthcare providers strive to create more inviting, patient-centered spaces, the need to balance aesthetic improvements with rigorous infection prevention has never been more urgent.
Gone are the days of stark, sterile healthcare spaces that feel more clinical than comforting. Today’s healthcare facilities embrace warmer finishes, inviting materials, and natural light to create spaces that promote healing and comfort for patients and staff alike. Yet, in this pursuit of aesthetic improvements, one critical factor remains paramount: the ability of these finishes to withstand rigorous cleaning protocols and combat HAIs.
The challenge lies in finding materials that balance form and function: Beautiful yet durable. Inviting yet effective in reducing the transmission of germs and viruses. In this article, we examine innovative surfaces and textiles that enhance the appearance and comfort of healthcare environments while aiding in infection prevention. From antimicrobial finishes to cutting-edge materials, we’ll explore how thoughtful design can harmonize beauty and safety in healthcare spaces.
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS
Before we discuss specific materials, it’s crucial to understand the impact of HAIs on patients and hospital operations. HAIs are a persistent challenge in medical settings, arising when facilities are not cleaned and disinfected thoroughly and regularly. (Lybert & Rohde, 2024). The consequences of these types of infections extend far beyond patient discomfort—they can lead to severe illness, require additional treatments, and even result in readmissions. In addition to compromising patient health, HAIs also impact hospital operations as Medicare does not reimburse for care related to HAIs, placing financial and reputational pressure on facilities (CMS, 2024).
Research shows that using vetted antimicrobial materials is one way healthcare facilities can effectively reduce the spread of infections (CMS, 2024). As designers we review these types of products and how they can decrease the spread of illness.
USING COPPER IN INFECTION-RESISTANT SURFACES AND MATERIALS
The surfaces in healthcare facilities play a vital role in preventing the spread of germs and bacteria. Even when cleaning occurs, some microorganisms can survive on surfaces for hours—or even days—if not properly disinfected. For instance, the COVID-19 virus can persist on glass for five days, wood for four days, and plastic or stainless steel for up to three days (Cleveland Clinic, 2024). These lingering microorganisms pose significant risks in healthcare environments, where infection control is paramount.
Innovative materials are changing how healthcare facilities tackle infections, helping them address this challenge more effectively. Copper, a material proven to kill viruses faster than traditional surfaces, has become a key player in infection-resistant design. Products like Cupron Enhanced EOS countertops, CuVerro textiles, and LuminOre Copper Touch coatings offer versatile applications—from countertops and patient beds to ADA door operators. These innovations provide long-lasting antimicrobial protection and significantly reduce harmful bacteria, enhancing infection prevention efforts across healthcare environments (Cooper, 2022).
Research funded by the European Commission through the Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) program highlights the impact of these coatings on infection control. The study, outlined in Anti-microbial Coating Innovations to Prevent Infectious Diseases (AMiCI): Cost Action cal15114, revealed that 80,000 patients in European hospitals are affected by HAIs daily. It also emphasized the critical role of antimicrobial coatings in reducing the spread of dangerous superbugs like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) (Dunne et al., 2017).
TEXTILES AND WALLCOVERINGS: A LAYERED DEFENSE IN DESIGN
In healthcare design, every surface—soft or hard—plays a critical role in infection control and maintaining a durable, functional environment. While hard surfaces like copper countertops offer a strong defense, textiles and wallcoverings also play a critical role in creating hygienic and durable healthcare spaces.
Pathogenic microorganisms can persist on surfaces, including fabrics like cubicle curtains, for weeks or even years, making textiles an essential focus for infection control (Lybert & Rohde, 2024). To address this, some manufacturers have developed cubicle curtains using fibers infused with 99.9% pure silver, such as X-Static, which provides long-lasting antimicrobial protection, making them an ideal choice for high-risk environments (Arc-Com, 2024).
In addition to cubicle curtains, other textiles infused with antimicrobial elements like silver, copper, zinc oxide, and titanium have demonstrated significant reductions in harmful pathogens, helping to mitigate healthcare-associated infections (Schneider et al., 2023). Even healthcare uniforms, such as scrubs, now incorporate quaternary ammonium compounds into their fabric for added protection.
Hard surfaces, such as protective wallcoverings, are equally vital in creating hygienic and durable spaces. Impact-resistant wallcoverings are designed to withstand the daily demands of rolling carts, wheelchairs, and other high-traffic activities while preventing pathogens from penetrating sub-walls. These materials are easily cleaned, ensuring that healthcare facilities maintain strict infection control protocols.
Beyond functionality, manufacturers have introduced aesthetic options for high-impact wall protection, offering finishes that combine durability with design appeal. Companies like Inpro, Koroseal, and Construction Specialties now produce wallcoverings in solid colors, wood-look finishes, and customizable patterns that blend seamlessly with a healthcare facility’s overall design. For instance, integrating these wall protections with solid-surface materials on reception desks, built-in sinks, and patient foot walls enhances the aesthetic appeal and ensures these surfaces can tolerate high abuse from rolling carts and constant use (Bambooteam, 2024).
EFFECTIVE INFECTION CONTROL REQUIRES A MULTI-FACETED APPROACH
Effective infection prevention in healthcare demands a multifaceted approach. Thoughtfully selected materials like copper-infused surfaces, antimicrobial textiles, and impact-resistant wallcoverings form the foundation of an effective strategy, but they work best when combined with operational best practices and emerging technologies, such as touchless faucets, automated systems, and sensors that monitor handwashing compliance. By investing in innovative materials and holistic infection control strategies, healthcare facilities can not only reduce the spread of HAIs but also elevate the patient experience, setting a new benchmark for care and design.
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