Demands within healthcare spaces can change in mere minutes, making the environment unlike any other. Main thoroughfares in medical facilities witness constant activity—from the nonstop movement of staff to the migration of equipment and continuous arrival of patients. It’s no surprise, then, that healthcare design professionals are constantly looking for ways to optimize space and better accommodate a medical facility’s dynamic function and fast-paced workflow. In clinic and outpatient settings, one trend on the rise is the use of interior sliding door systems in on-stage/off-stage models. While helping to maximize existing footprints, these dual-entry solutions support traffic flow and adhere to acoustic-isolation demands.
Given the increased interest in the on-stage/off-stage commercial sliding door model, we spoke with Tysen Gannon, Business Development and Market Consultant with AD Systems, to better understand the system’s benefit and function in medical settings.
Q. The on-stage/off-stage door model continues to gain traction in healthcare facilities. What factors are contributing to its adoption?
A. Over the last decade, there has been a significant shift to greater provision of more complex services in ambulatory and outpatient environments. The dual-entry door model has beneficial impacts at both the clinic and room level, affecting how care is delivered in these healthcare facilities. One of the fundamental shifts associated with on-stage/off-stage clinic design is the ability to change patient and provider environments from shared to separate. In this model, patients enter areas such as exam rooms from the public facing “on-stage” corridor while medical personnel enter from the “off-stage” area, which is a private space for staff and their workstations. There are many associated impacts with this shift that are contributing to the rise in dual-entry systems. Research indicates improvements such as travel distances, communications, wait times and patient throughput.
Q. With space at a premium, how are commercial interior sliding door systems improving patient and care team circulation?
A. Sliding doors lead to the more effective utilization of space. When the swing path of a traditional swing door is eliminated and the associated approach clearances are reduced to those of a slider, there is a much more efficient use of square footage. Supporting the necessary functions of healthcare occupancies, sliding doors free up critical room for seating, furnishings, casework and other materials needed in medical facilities. Also, as more clinic models incorporate dual-entry designs, the need for space savings has become considerably apparent. When sliding doors are used in lieu of traditional swing doors, facilities using lean design principles can optimize existing footprints by accommodating additional exam rooms and functional areas.
Q. Which types of commercial interior sliding door systems are best suited for dual-entry applications?
A. While we have seen dual-entry collaboration spaces in other types of projects, the design is most common in medical clinics. In these environments, it is critical that the sliding door systems do more than just slide to meet the demands of clinical facilities. To do so, they must often incorporate ADA compliant hardware and operating force, address visual and acoustical privacy needs and have soft closers to protect users from quickly closing doors. In addition, it is ideal to consider sliders in the modern barn style application as there are no exposed floor tracks, and thin, resilient frames are easy to clean. Specifying dual-entry sliding doors as a complete system is also an important factor for healthcare facilities. Single-sourced sliding door components ensure compatibility throughout the system and afford maintenance benefits.
Q. How does the on-stage/off-stage approach support lean design principles? How are commercial sliding doors furthering these outcomes?
A. On-stage/off-stage is a rather dramatic reevaluation of occupant flow and the workspace footprint within clinics. The intent for this design is to maximize efficiency amongst clinical staff and patient comfort in the delivery of care. This model shifts how and where patients and providers interact and intersect within the built environment.
We know healthcare facilities need to appeal to a patient’s sense of wellbeing while benefiting providers with easy access to their patients, colleagues, technology and other essential tools. To achieve this outcome on both provider and patient fronts, designers are turning to purpose-built sliding doors. With sliding doors, dual-entry solutions ensure operational efficiency and patient comfort on an ongoing basis. They are aligned with clinic care models and adhere to the workflow and function of healthcare facilities.
Q. What new access control technology is being employed to allow patients to be self-rooming?
A. This is an interesting question that is gaining additional attention as facilities and patients cope with the increased need for infection control. Reducing wait times and assessing the need to wait in communal waiting rooms have long been priorities that are now on the fast-track to adoption. If technology such as screen displays or even mobile phone check-in can be widely adopted and accepted by patients, there is significant potential for clinics to become self-rooming. The integration of access control to assure privacy in exam rooms could facilitate broader adoption.
Interested in learning more about commercial sliding doors for on-stage/off-stage models? AD Systems supplies functional solutions for healthcare facilities. Learn more here: https://www.specadsystems.com/en/index/door-systems/examslide.html
