Over the past decade, rubber has become a popular flooring material for hospitals and clinics. Rubber flooring has been utilized outside North America for many decades, but because of its many great features, it is now highly sought after for flooring in North American commercial businesses, including hospitals. 

Hospitals have many departments, each with different flooring needs. For example, hospitals have a heavy foot and roller traffic around the clock and, hence, durability is a major concern. In addition, the flooring has to be soundproof so that patients are not disturbed in their rooms. 

Also, because spills from all types of liquids are common, the rubber flooring for hospitals should be moisture resistant and easy to clean. There are not many floorings that can match the features of rubber flooring. Rubber flooring is versatile and can be installed in almost all places in a hospital.

What are the Characteristics of Rubber Flooring?

  1. Durability: Rubber flooring is extremely durable. Just like the rubber used to make automobile tires, the same strength of rubber is used to make the rubber flooring for hospitals. Flooring manufacturers ensure that the rubber can withstand all types of foot and roller traffic without being damaged. The latest rubber flooring for hospitals is also patterned and textured; therefore, it is difficult to develop dents and scratches. If well-maintained, rubber flooring can easily last several decades.
  2. Elasticity: Rubber also has superb elastic memory. When heavy loads compress the rubber flooring, it immediately reverts to its original position and shape once the load is removed. This allows the rubber to maintain its original shape and aesthetics for a long time.
  3. Antimicrobial: In hospitals, you want flooring that will limit the growth of bacteria and prevent the spread of viruses or diseases. Flooring manufacturers ensure rubber flooring has wax embedded inside it during the manufacturing process. This wax constantly moves from the deeper layers to the surface and when it does so, it removes the bacteria. The bacteria at the surface are then easily removed during the cleaning process. Besides bacteria, wax also prevents the accumulation of other dirt and debris, which helps maintain the aesthetics.
  4. Easy to Clean: Rubber is one of the easiest floorings to clean. All it needs is regular vacuuming. The frequency of cleaning depends on usage, but in hospitals, vacuuming should be done at least once a night. If there are liquid spills or stains, they can be easily removed with a wet mop and detergent. There is no need to purchase exotic solutions or fancy cleaning equipment. In fact, the use of harsh solutions can damage the rubber flooring.
  5. Easy on the Feet: Because nurses and doctors are on their feet for prolonged hours in a hospital, it is important to have rubber flooring for hospitals that is easy on the joints. This is also important for patients who are recovering from surgery or a major illness. Rubber flooring is soft and gentle on the feet and does not cause the aching and pain associated with walking on hard or solid flooring.
  6. Safe: In a hospital environment, patients may have difficulty walking. To reduce the impact of a fall, it is important to have flooring that can cushion the impact. It is this property of rubber that stands tall; falling on rubber flooring will, in most cases, prevent further serious injury.
  7. Requires Little Maintenance: Once rubber flooring has been installed, other than routine cleaning, it does not need extensive maintenance. Flooring manufacturers make sure that the rubber product is very sturdy, stable, and durable. The risk of the flooring gets damaged is low because of the toughness of rubber. Hence, in the long run, it is virtually maintenance-free.
  8. Noise Absorption: Another great feature of rubber flooring is that it has excellent sound muffling capability. When gurneys, wheelchairs, or other medical equipment are moved along the corridors, the sound is barely heard at the nurse’s desk or inpatient rooms. 
  9. Varied Patterns and Texture: It is important to get rubber flooring that is textured because this feature allows it to be slip-resistant. In addition, markings can be etched on the rubber flooring itself to guide patients and other staff members to different departments in the hospital.

Where Can Rubber Flooring be Installed in a Hospital?

In general, rubber flooring is quite versatile and can be installed in the following places:

  • Cafeteria: The cafeteria is not only busy with heavy foot traffic, but it also is a place linked to food and beverage spills. Rubber flooring for hospitals will meet all your needs as it is easy to clean with a vacuum or a wet mop, and the flooring can be re=opened to the public very quickly. 
  • Corridors: If you want to minimize the noise in corridors, you will not go wrong with rubber flooring.
  • Emergency Room: The emergency room is another place with heavy foot and roller traffic and the flooring tends to get dirty quickly. Since rubber flooring is durable and easy to clean, it is suitable for the emergency room.
  • Patient Rooms: Rubber flooring is ideal for patient rooms as it is soft and, in case of a fall, it can help cushion the impact.
  • Bathrooms: Falls in the bathrooms are not uncommon and the flooring can be extra slippery when wet. Hence, select textured rubber flooring, which is slip-resistant and easy to clean.
  • Operating Room: Like the emergency room, the operating rooms are busy 24/7 and often get dirty from a variety of elements. You preferably want flooring that is easy to clean, will not accumulate dirt and is comfortable on the feet; rubber flooring meets all these criteria.
  • Hospital Entrance: Since the majority of people enter the hospital via the main entrance, the traffic is heavy. In addition, people may walk in with all types of shoes, including wet footwear. Flooring that can withstand the weather, including water, snow, sand, and, at the same time, be easy to clean is desirable. Rubber flooring is ideal for the entrance, but you may have to sacrifice a little on the cosmesis.

CONCLUSION

Deciding on healthcare flooring is not easy as there are several good choices available. You must also consider the various needs of the different departments including the need for good hygiene, anti-slip flooring, sound muffling, and comfort. Though some flooring manufacturers may strive to have these features, rubber flooring has numerous other features that make it stand out as a very good option as well. 

It is easy to clean, extremely durable, and low maintenance. The best advice is to visit East Coast Flooring & Interiors and speak to a flooring professional. The key is to know the pros and cons of the different flooring and then determine what best meets your needs. Rest assured, though, that the one flooring that will go beyond your needs is rubber.  Call East Coast Flooring & Interiors today at 1-954-773-9575 to learn more.