Emergency Preparedness and Automatic Doors for Hospitals

Hospitals experience emergencies every day, so they need to be full of high-quality, industry-leading, durable equipment and efficient fixtures and hardware. 

While top-of-the-line medical equipment is essential for saving lives and being prepared for  various emergencies, there are other ways to ensure hospitals are ready for anything.

Installing the right automatic door systems in a hospital can be one of the most beneficial ways to ensure smooth and swift action during all dire situations. Knowing the options available and choosing the type for each area of the building will give patients and employees the peace of mind they deserve.

How Automatic Doors Strengthen Hospital Emergency Preparedness

Choosing the right automatic doors for a hospital's emergency preparedness plan will be pivotal in response times, traffic flow, security, and more.

Although automatic doors are not the first thing people think of when considering emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities, they are necessary for so many reasons.

Infection and Disease Control

Hospitals are safe places for people to go when they are feeling ill, hurt, or experiencing any medical emergency. Because they accommodate patients with all types of health issues, it isn't far-fetched to assume they are also a great place to pick up something while you are there. 

Although proper cleaning and good hygiene are the best ways to avoid picking up a virus, preventing contact with as many surface areas as possible is another excellent solution. According to the Cleveland Clinic, germs can last on surfaces for many hours and up to five days. The COVID-19 virus can survive on wooden doors for four days, glass panels for five, and stainless steel door handles for three.

By installing automatic, contact-free doors in hospital facilities, there is no longer a need to put your hand on a door knob or handle that thousands of others have already touched. Even the cleanest hospitals can not keep up with the spread of germs through surface areas. 

Some automatic doors are also designed specifically to reduce the spread of infectious diseases or to keep isolation rooms sterile. These types of doors minimize air leakage and have durable, test-proof seals. 

Safety and Security for Patients and Staff

People are often feeling their most vulnerable while visiting the hospital. When sick or working to care for ill patients, they need to feel safe to focus on the more critical situation.

Security issues aren't always the emergency people think of when discussing hospital safety, but the risks exist. Robbery, fires, physical assaults, etc, are more of a threat than many people realize.

With automatic door systems throughout the facility, critical emergency prevention features can be added to secure these buildings tightly.

Some key features include

• Bullet-resistant glass (doors and windows)
• Key card entry systems
• Anti-piggy backing
• Anti- tailgating 
• Automatic locking
• Fire doors
• Breakaway doors

By installing automatic doors, hospitals can significantly decrease unauthorized access into restricted areas, lock down individual sectors, and protect patients from potential physical harm.

Easy Access for All Visitors

Guidelines set by the Americans with Disability Acts state that “at least 60% of public entrances in newly built facilities must be accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs or have mobility impairments” (adata.org).
With the right automatic doors, access to medical facilities, such as hospitals, is easier for those walking in and those who need to be wheeled in (by chair, gurney, etc.)

Automatic door opening sensors, extra wide doorways, ramps, etc., are all important ways to ensure everyone can easily access their local hospitals and travel in and around them.

Quick and Safe Escape Routes

Hospitals are full of people 24/7, with employees, doctors, patients,  visitors, etc. Sometimes, the number of people isn't easily noticed until an emergency strikes, and everyone rushes to and exits simultaneously.
With traditional doors, getting out of an emergency can take a long time, trapping people inside and causing more panic.

With large entranceways, automatic opening sensors, and breakaway doors, making a quick and safe escape is easier and more obtainable for many people.

Traffic Control

Emergency preparedness in medical facilities ensures patients receive the best care possible. This type of preparation is what saves lives and keeps hospitals running smoothly in all types of situations.
With touch-free doors, doctors can rush patients from one area of the hospital to the next without stopping live-saving measures.

These doors also ensure there isn't a hold-up at an entrance or exit due to heavy traffic, avoiding prolonged waiting time for doctors to reach patients needing emergency care.

Keeping patients as calm as possible during an emergency is critical to a safe outcome. When exits are blocked, it can bring out anxiety and will cause people to panic (which makes emergencies even worse). Easy access throughout the building will reduce tension, irritability, and anger.

Types of Automatic Doors for Hospitals and Emergency Preparedness

Automatic doors use an array of sensors, electric motors, and circuits to open and close doors without human intervention. These features work together to slide, rotate, lock, monitor, and protect doors and visitors without any contact whatsoever. 

There are a wide variety of door options and various features for customizing automatic sliding doors, providing ample benefits during emergencies. 

• Breakaway doors- Breakaway doors will open partially or fully, allowing people to create larger exits during emergencies and the ability to open doors in case of power failure. These doors are ideal for hospital entrances, exits and ICU’s.
• Fully sealed- High-quality, tested, fully-sealed hospital doors slide, fold, or rotate with air-tight seals, minimizing air leaks. These doors are beneficial in all areas of a healthcare facility, but especially so in pressure rooms, critical care units, and infectious disease control.
• Fire protection- Fire doors are acoustically sound folding doors that contain a fire in one area of the hospital, preventing it from spreading and creating more damage. 
• Bullet-resistant glass- Tension and stress levels can get high during healthcare situations. Sadly, this brings out the worst in some people, and weapons can come into play. Those on the opposite side will stay protected with bullet-resistant glass doors and automatic windows.
• Key card Access- Theft and damage can occur when ill-willed people enter secure areas. Ensure only authorized personnel can enter restricted areas with key card access.
• Anti-piggybacking doors- Anti-piggybacking doors close directly behind an authorized user. These systems reduce the risk of violence, theft, and invasion of privacy.

Folding doors are a top choice for large openings, while automatic swinging doors are the most common solution for upgrading manual doors to meet ADA standards.

An automatic sliding door can open in various ways, moving to one side or opening in the middle like barn doors. These doors are great for isolation areas and rooms that require extreme cleanliness. Automatic sliding doors are also a top choice for hospital entryways, offering plenty of space for high-traffic areas.

Choosing the Right Automatic Doors for Hospital Emergency Preparedness

With all the available options today, deciding which automatic doors are suitable for hospital rooms and entryways can be a little overwhelming. It is also essential that each facility follows the accessibility ADA guidelines when installing new doors to avoid hefty fines.

To ensure every automatic door system is installed correctly and maintained in any hospital building, contacting reputable, reliable, professional, and highly experienced, qualified experts is critical. At Door Services Corporation, every client is a top priority and will get the assistance and guidance needed to obtain the most efficient, safe, and secure automatic door system available. 

Be prepared for anything with industry-leading, high-quality, top-of-the-line automatic door systems backed by 60 years of expert experience and AAADM-certified technicians whose top priority is customer satisfaction.