A new coat of paint is one of the best and most affordable ways to overhaul a commercial space. But when it comes to painting healthcare facilities, the cost is not the only factor considered.
For medical offices, the aesthetics and protection of the surfaces are important. Professional paint contractors are aware of the different paint products that benefit a hospital or medical office and their effects on the patients.
What to Consider When Painting Healthcare Facilities
A hospital is the last place most of us want to be. Many people judge a hospital not just by the service, but by the perceived hygiene of their surroundings. Dingy walls, a cold environment, and bad air quality can all change your perception of medical facilities.
If these negative attributes describe your medical office, then it’s time for an upgrade. Painting your healthcare building is the best way to give the property, patients, and medical staff a more welcoming environment.
Professional painters who have experience painting medical facilities know that certain paints are not ideal for a medical facility and can increase the dangers to patients. The choice of paint, air quality, and whether the facility will be in use during the project are some of the major concerns that affect the staff and patients.
1. Safety First
The preparation of the walls and surfaces before painting is crucial to a great finish. Before the walls are cleaned and sanded, the area must be isolated. When dealing with medical facilities, there is the extra danger of debris and dust and their effect on compromised individuals. All safety hazards must be relayed to staff, patients, and guests.
The surroundings should always be cleaned before leaving for the day. If the paint is still drying or more rooms are to be completed after the workday is over, the schedule and services can continue at a later time and will not be hindered beyond the area being painted.
2. Choose a Satin or Semi-Gloss Finish
Semi-gloss paint finishes are much easier to keep clean than flat paint. This is extremely important in a doctor’s office, where cleanliness is crucial. Satin finishes aren’t quite as easy to clean but are more aesthetically pleasing than flat finishes. Scratches, bumps, and dirt won’t be seen easily with a semi-gloss finish. A busy waiting room will benefit greatly when a higher gloss paint is not used.
3. Pick the Right Colors
If you are planning on having your doctor’s office painted, then you want to make sure you choose the right paint colors. Some colors work better than others.
Stay away from bright white because some patients will equate this color with the stereotypical mental hospital look. Also, bright white is unfriendly and harder to keep clean. If you want to paint your healthcare office white, go with an off-white or neutral color. It has a softer feel than a bright white.
When we see colors, the shades evoke different emotions and feelings in us. A certain color’s psychological properties can make us feel relaxed and serene. Other colors can have a strong effect on the mind and cause a more intense reaction. The right paint color for a healthcare environment can be a powerful tool to help calm your patients, help them heal more quickly, and help distinguish your healthcare facility from others.
Stress cannot only worsen existing health problems, but it can also generate new health concerns. Stress can weaken the immune system and aggravate an existing health issue. This could add to recovery time and could even lead to other illnesses. The right hospital paint colors can make all the difference in relaxing patients and their loved ones to try and make them feel as comfortable as possible during what could be a difficult time.
Creating a calm and relaxing space for your patients is important. Some colors that promote feelings of calmness also include light blue, light coral, mauve, beige, sage, and light lavender.
To give the waiting room more dimension, break the space up by choosing two complementary colors. Paint two-thirds of the wall from the top down in a lighter color and the bottom third a darker color. This style creates a professional look that gives the waiting room more personality. Painting with more than one color also makes it easier for you to balance the paint with calming pictures that coordinate with both colors.
Consider your patients when you choose your paint colors. If your office tends to see more elderly patients, then stick with softer colors and paint more traditionally.
Child healthcare is often a relationship-based business. Parents often tend to visit pediatricians' offices where their children are most comfortable. Having themed spaces can help as well as more color on the walls. Children also like to see fun characters painted on the walls.
4. Types of Paint Make a Difference
Low-odor, low-VOC, and no-VOC paints are preferable, especially in a healthcare environment. They will not give off fumes or odors, which is safer for patients. They can also prevent the growth of mold and mildew and improve indoor air quality.
There are new and improved paint products that can help prevent the spread of different bacteria and germs. They can kill certain types of drug-resistant bacteria, inhibit the growth of common germs, and stop their spread. Using microbicidal paint is one of the best strategies to fend off dangerous bacterial infections.
In addition to using coating products with antimicrobial agents, there are other specialty coatings beneficial to medical facilities. Emergency rooms, operating rooms, and surgical suites must be sterile to safeguard the health of patients. Special wall coatings are required in sterile rooms.
They usually include semi- or high-gloss paints, epoxy, or polyurethane. These coatings will last through hot water cleanings and vigorous scrubbing. Adding industry-approved hygienic paints can be a cost-effective way to increase the sanitation of your hospital.
A great solution for a pediatric office is to use chalkboard paint on the walls so the children can draw on the wall. This is a great way to help the parents keep the children entertained while they are waiting to see the doctor.
5. Scheduling Work
To minimize the risk of paint fumes harming patients, and other chemical and physical safety concerns, it might be best to schedule work in the evening, on weekends, or on holidays. If the healthcare practice is only open on certain days of the week, working on off days is recommended. If the practice has not yet opened, it’s best to paint before opening of the facility.
6. Ventilation Concerns
If the fumes from a painting project leak into a shared ventilation system, you are sharing air with other areas and need to protect the health and safety of patients and workers in these adjacent offices. Blocking vents and wall gaps that are shared can be an effective approach. While painting it’s important to ensure increased airflow in affected common and adjacent areas.
Signs Your Medical Facility Needs a New Coat of Paint
Interior surfaces need to be maintained. The wear and tear of the floors and walls lead to an unattractive atmosphere. These signs will tell you it’s time to revamp the look of your healthcare facility.
Chalking. Old paint becomes chalky over time and can leave a residue on your hand or clothes when touched. It becomes a powdery substance that comes right off the wall of your medical office.
Rotting occurs when fungus from moisture grows underneath walls and floors. Damage to your healthcare building’s foundation is possible if not treated promptly.
Mold/Mildew. Look for stains, odors, or black dots on the surface of your building, walls, and floors. High humidity and rain are usual culprits of excess moisture that leads to mold and mildew. Take care of this immediately to keep your employees and patients safe.
Customers Notice the Damage. If you hear your patients and their visitors mention the damage they see around or inside your healthcare facility, it’s time for a new paint job. You don’t want potential new patients to be thwarted over an unkempt building.
Regulatory Updates. To ensure the safety of your patients and employees, painting different areas of the building may be required to comply with industry regulations. Line striping and other marks will need continual repainting to help reduce accidents.
Repurposed Space. New departments or medical offices may require a room to be re-designed. Considering how space is used will determine the type and color of paint required.
Choose a Trusted Commercial Painter
You don’t want to give your patients a bad impression when they walk in. Make your patients feel they are seeing competent healthcare professionals. We will have your medical practice presentable, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Whether your healthcare facility is a hospital, local clinic, dentist’s office, or emergency care center, our team can handle every painting project. Contact us today for a free consultation.
If your healthcare facility needs a makeover, let The Painting Pros handle the project. We have the knowledge and experience to paint medical offices and other commercial spaces.