A headwall is undoubtedly the most abused wall space in the entire healthcare facility. In a hospital, patients’ lives tend to be in jeopardy, and energy levels are high. During emergency situations, beds are frequently rolled into the patient room at high speeds, and the last thing medical staff is concerned about is how this force will impact the headwall. Walls need to withstand the abuse they receive. They also need to be easily cleaned or repaired, with minimal fuss. This is for quick infection control and keeping the headwall looking clean and fresh.
Although headwalls can be used for years, in general, they do not hold up over the long haul, requiring maintenance and eventual replacement every seven to ten years. When maintenance or updates are necessary, it’s important to do so with limited downtime. The main focus should be to keep heads in beds so healthcare professionals can focus on maximizing the number of lives they touch. This is especially true for the “for-profit healthcare systems” out there, as keeping heads in beds will also help mitigate any lost revenue associated with having a patient room out of service for multiple days at a time. Headwalls that can adapt to the ever-changing healthcare environment should also give you the ability to refresh the look in the future. Ideally, this happens without the expense of replacing all the interior medical gases and electrical wiring.
Not only are headwalls’ functionality crucial in a hospital setting, but their aesthetic appeal is just as important. They are the single biggest focal point in most patient rooms, therefore, it’s definitely important to consider the way they look. Fresh and current finishes which are well-coordinated with other architectural elements are important when achieving an overall visually appealing environment for patients, their families, and staff alike.
Every healthcare facility is different and they all have different processes and acuity levels. Because of this, it is vital to make sure the headwalls and other medical equipment fit each medical staff’s preferences to ensure efficiency and organization during the care giving process. Medical teams have many other things to think about. They shouldn’t have to worry about the various wires and hoses in the headwall space while they’re trying to treat a patient. Rather than trying to force-fit your process to meet a manufacturer’s standard headwall design though, it is important to create a headwall design that is specific to your facility’s specific needs and workflow. From the placement of the medical gas and electrical outlet locations to nurse call monitoring systems.
At Critical Care Marketing, we work closely with Homewood Healthcare, which provides a wide variety of options for custom and prefabricated headwalls. Homewood’s headwalls are constructed of Laminate, Oak, Cherry or Maple and are available in your choice of custom stain colors, drawer, and door types, and hardware. They also are finished with a durable chemical and moisture-resistant varnish. Optional medical gasses, electrical outlets, light switches, and data ports can be placed anywhere inside the cabinets and their quantities and type are flexible. They are also a perfect duplicate for outdated and irreplaceable Hill-Rom units.
If you are looking to replace headwall systems in your medical facility, contact us today for a quote and more information on a custom system that with serving both form and function for years to come!