Hospital is a place where patients come for the treatment of various diseases. So, the possibility of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAIs) is high in hospitals. Every surface has the potential to transmit microorganisms and pathogens that cause infections. These infectious molecules can be transferred through doorknobs, countertops, chair handles, and other places. Therefore, the hospital’s countertops and surface hygiene are more critical for both patients and visitors.
Choosing the right countertop is a serious consideration for healthcare environments. The main considerations when choosing a healthcare countertop are the sanitization, clean ability, durability, aesthetic and long-term value for the facility. Countertops are commonly found in areas such as reception areas, break room tables, side tables, nurse stations, exam room desks, bathroom vanities, and many more. It is more effective to select a hygienic and durable countertop to control the spread of HCAIs.
Healthcare outcomes are impacted by things like the aesthetics of the hospital environment, as well as the cleanliness.
Here, we will be covering the most widely used countertop materials in healthcare settings.
Quartz
Quartz countertops make an ideal surface for these areas. Stylish, easy to care for, and most importantly, hygienic, quartz is often the answer to the question of how to finish out the surfaces in all hospital areas. Quartz countertops do not require sealing or special care, and they are unlikely to crack or develop areas for bacteria to hide. If you want a versatile, attractive, and stylish countertop for your hospital setting that will also perform well for many years, consider quartz to do the job.
Porcelain
The use of porcelain spread across the globe slowly gaining a reputation for being incredibly beautiful and highly durable. It is a magnificent material used for hospital and healthcare countertops.
The density of porcelain tile makes it more durable than ceramic tile while being less subject to wear and tear.
Best Antimicrobial Countertops for Healthcare Centers
Investing in antimicrobial countertops protects against the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, mold and mildew. Because hospitals and healthcare facilities contain special conditions, counters are an ideal place for bacteria to grow. Here are three options for installing an antimicrobial counter in a hospital or healthcare facility.
Quartz is the product extremely durable and resistant to stains, chips, and cracks, with no sealing required, it’s non-porous, which makes it easy to clean and resistant to the incursion of bacteria and other germs.
Despite the fact that natural stone is more porous than engineered quartz surfaces, it’s still naturally resistant to microbes like bacteria, viruses, and other germs. When you add proper sealing and regular cleaning and maintenance, you’ll find that natural stone options like marble, granite, and quartzite offer similar antimicrobial properties as quartz due to their non-porous properties.
Porcelain is quickly becoming a popular alternative to natural stone and engineered quartz, thanks to incredible resilience, versatility and beauty. In fact, it has been found to naturally reduce the presence of bacteria like S. aureus and E. coli by roughly 80%, on average.
Picking the Right Healthcare Countertop
When it comes to healthcare countertops, sanitization, longevity and aesthetics are the most important concerns. “Value” is a common topic when choosing countertop materials. It’s important to understand that value is a combination of all three of the above mentioned criteria: sanitization, longevity and aesthetics.
Good options include porcelain slabs, quartz, and some natural stone. Avoid countertops that are largely plastic such as cultured marble, solid surface, and those that introduce formaldehyde, like laminate. If using laminate countertops, specify that the substrate be made with a no added formaldehyde (NAF) resin.
