5 Reasons Automatic Doors Are Essential Within Hospitals & Healthcare Facilities

04.04.2023

Limiting the spread of infection within hospitals and healthcare facilities has always been of paramount importance, however the insurgence of COVID-19 in 2020 really amplified this need.

The number of Covid cases has drastically decreased over the past 3 years, however the need to limit virus transmission within the healthcare sector has become no less important to avoid further infection.

Contact through surfaces such as door handles is a primary way in which infection can spread quickly, particularly in healthcare settings where patients may be immunocompromised or otherwise vulnerable to infection.

Why Install Automatic Doors in Hospitals?

Automatic doors are an essential feature within hospitals, doctor’s surgeries, and other healthcare settings as they help with infection control and offer numerous other benefits that make them a practical and convenient option for healthcare centres.

Here are 5 reasons your healthcare facility should install automatic doors:

1. Enhanced Infection Control

In healthcare facilities, controlling the spread of infection is a top priority. Traditional doors require physical contact to open and close, which can easily lead to the spread of bacteria and viruses. This is where automatic doors can help.

Automatic doors eliminate the need for physical contact, reducing the spread of germs and bacteria. Automatic doors can also be equipped with sensors that detect when a person is approaching, enabling them to open automatically. This feature eliminates the need for people to touch the door handles, further reducing the risk of infection.

2. Improved Accessibility

Automatic doors are particularly useful for patients with mobility impairments or disabilities. They eliminate the need for these patients to push or pull heavy doors, making it easier for them to move around the healthcare facility.

Additionally, automatic doors can be installed with motion sensors, making them accessible to patients with limited mobility. This feature provides these patients with independence, reducing their reliance on others for assistance.

3. Energy Efficiency

Hospitals and healthcare facilities are typically large buildings, and traditional doors that are left open for extended periods can waste energy by allowing conditioned air to escape.

On the other hand, automatic door systems help to conserve energy by closing automatically when not in use. This feature helps to reduce heating and cooling costs, resulting in significant energy savings.

4. Enhanced Safety

In emergency situations, time is of the essence. Automatic doors provide quick and easy access for emergency responders and medical personnel, allowing them to respond to emergencies more efficiently.

Additionally, automatic doors equipped with sensors can detect obstructions, preventing the doors from closing on people or objects and preventing injuries.

5. Convenience

Automatic doors offer convenience to both patients and healthcare professionals. They eliminate the need for people to manually open and close doors, making it easier for patients to move around the healthcare facility, especially those with mobility issues.

Healthcare professionals can also benefit from automatic doors, as they can easily move medical equipment, such as stretchers or wheelchairs, through the doors without needing to physically open them.

Contact Us

As you can see, automatic doors offer numerous benefits for the healthcare sector, including enhanced infection control, improved accessibility, energy efficiency, and enhanced safety. By installing automatic doors, healthcare facilities improve patient care and reduce costs, making them a smart investment for most healthcare premises.

At GDUK Door Solutions, we offer several different variations of automatic doors, including:

• Automatic sliding doors
• Automatic swing doors
• Automatic folding doors
• Automatic curved sliding doors

If you’d like to speak to us about installing automatic doors in your healthcare centre or have any questions regarding the automatic door systems we offer, please email us at info@gdukds.com, or call us on 0800 316 6994. A member of our team will be happy to help!