We’re lucky to have yet another guest post! This time, the topic is office furniture for healthcare settings. LPN Heather Green is a freelance writer for several regional magazines in North Carolina and a resident blogger for onlinenursingdegrees.org. Here are her tips for facility managers who are tasked with outfitting the administrative side of a hospital or medical office:

When most people considering furnishing a hospital, the focus is on the medical equipment used primarily by the patients. There are beds, exam tables, food carts, surgical carts, crash carts and many other items that someone opening a hospital needs to worry about. Many people do not consider the office furniture that is just as important as the medical equipment. Some hospital supply businesses will offer office furniture as well; but you may be able to save money by using a traditional supplier. When you are choosing office furniture for a hospital, you will want to choose items that can be disinfected and that will wear well. Look for modern upholstery textiles that are specifically designed for durability, germ resistance and easy sanitization.

Cubicles and Office Equipment

Many people do not realize the maze of offices that are used to help a hospital run. There is usually an area of the hospital devoted to offices such as the billing department and the administrative offices. For this part of the hospital, it makes more sense to order from an office furniture supplier rather than from a medical supplier. When you begin to order the furniture, you should have a specific design in mind. You can order cubicles that you can build in a larger room. This option will give you more flexibility with your larger office spaces.

When you order, you can create continuity of design that moves throughout the hospital. There are other areas of the hospital that can benefit from office furniture that you would purchase from an office supply dealer. Working closely with a local supplier allows you to view a wide variety of items and to find the right price for your merchandise. It is important to consider quality and how long you will need to use the furniture before you replace it when you are making your purchases as well.

Lobbies

Another area of the hospital where it will be beneficial to purchase office furniture for the hospital is the lobby. Many hospital lobbies have an information desk for patients and visitors. The desk should be nice and professional and you can choose from a variety of formal desks when choosing the desk for the hospital lobby. Additionally, you can purchase items for your hospital waiting rooms from a hospital supply store. You will want to choose comfortable chairs that are easy to clean and sanitize. Do not forget to purchase end tables and artwork for the lobby and the hallways as well.

Nurses’ Stations

Additionally, you can order the office furniture you need at the nurses stations from an office furniture dealer. Many of the nurses’ stations are just sections set aside on the floor. Within the nurses stations, you may need to provide desks and chairs that the nurses need to complete their charting. The options offered through cubicles as well as desk chairs can make building each nurses station easier. Additionally, you can custom order for each nurses’ stations, which may have different layouts depending on the hospitals design and layout.

The hits just keep on coming with government officials being criticized for office expenditures. This time, the price tag and relative value of a sound masking system is being called into question. Sacramento County administrator Brad Hudson chose to purchase and install a $15,000 privacy system on two floors of the county’s office building. The areas covered with this blanket of white noise are the Labor Relations and Human Resources departments. This is where some of the most sensitive discussions take place. If the wrong person overhears a conversation, it could lead to anything from morale disasters to fines for HIPAA violations.

Detractors point out that single-room sound masking systems are much less expensive (about $200 a pop). The problem is that not all important conversations happen behind closed doors. From a risk management strategy, having more comprehensive white noise coverage may be the smart thing to do. What do you think? What prices tag do you think is reasonable for preventing prying ears from overhearing private conversations?

The sign says recycling is easy, but that’s not always true. Consider this 2007 article from Metropolismag.com that takes a peek at the programs office furniture manufacturers offer for recycling old office furniture. It’s all very well to say “Our company will take back and recycle any component from our furniture”. The problem seems to be in making this a truly convenient choice for customers. For example, the Haworth Take Back program depends on the customer to foot transportation costs back to the plant. That’s a disincentive for most companies and individual users to participate.

There’s some talk of setting up collection centers across the US (like the ones already available for consumer electronics). These convenient locations would make reclaiming used office furniture for recycling purposes easier. But for now, most companies rely on office furniture dealers to liquidate their used items. These firms are most likely to have a direct pipeline to local recyclers who want materials from furniture that is no longer useful. Sometimes, you can even get money back for your used office furniture. At Cubicles Office Environments, we buy old furniture and make it look and feel like new again.

Today’s guest post comes from across the pond. Alex Morris works for Office Kitten in Manchester where he writes, researches, and blogs about the business world. In this post, Alex peers into his crystal ball and gives us a glimpse at upcoming trends he expects to see gaining ground in the US. Read along and see if you think his predictions are “spot on”.

2012 will offer a myriad of changes in office furniture design. Expect to see businesses incorporating new trends, embracing environmentalism, and utilising the latest styles. If you want your office to stay trendy (or if you are just interested in taking advantage of what this year brings), pay attention to these trends and fit your office accordingly. It can make your workers happy, and it’s always energizing to change things around.

Green Furniture

In 2011, green furniture was really on a roll. In 2012, the adoption rate is expected to explode and garner even more mainstream awareness. This means less toxic finishes, lower carbon footprints and fewer resources used. However, this does not mean that the furniture will be uncomfortable or hideous. Green technology has learned from the modern age. Sustainable manufacturers make great looking items that are comfortable.

Small Profile Furniture

Going along with the green revolution’s standpoint of using fewer resources, office furniture is expected to have a smaller profile. Out with those clunky office chairs and desks and in with smaller, more modern looking ones! This will make you office space look much bigger, and it will feel rife with new possibilities.

Accommodating Gadgets

Even in the office, smart phones and similar gadgets are important to have. For the longest time, office furniture has not been accommodating to these devices; but 2012 is going to change that. The furniture is going to be made to fit these devices, and there may be docks to charge them as well.

Multipurpose Office Furniture

Much like green furniture, this isn’t new, but the adoption rate is expected to increase. Office space is often scarce. Using a multipurpose piece allows you to maximize that space. Why use a desk and a table, when the two can be combined?

Vintage Furniture

This once again feeds into the green revolution, but not in the way you think. Obviously most vintage furniture was treated with very toxic finishes that off-gassed a terrible aroma. Unlike modern furniture treated with similar finishes, vintage furniture is finally done off-gassing. This means you don’t have to experience the toxic smells or effects. Not only that, but there is no need to use more resources .

International Inspirations

America is the melting pot of the world, and that is going to show in 2012’s office furniture. There are expected to be many designs that are inspired by Asian and European design trends, mixed with American sentiments.

Round Edges

In the past, most office furniture had sharp edges. It looked very business-oriented and very strict – seeming to forget that people, not machines were working in the office. In 2012, many office furniture pieces are going to have fun and loose round edges that look and feel better.

Natural Colours

Years past have seen many vivid colours in office furniture, but 2012 is going to be about lighter, more natural colours. You should expect to primarily see wood tones, as these are less likely to contain unnecessary chemicals than vivid dyes and finishes. They also breathe life into the office, so enjoy them.

Custom Pieces

Offices tend to commission custom pieces every now and then to fit specific needs. This practice is expected to increase in 2012, both in home and corporate offices. This enables you to really make the office yours without having to worry if a standard design fits your office or not. While this trend is a little on the expensive side, it is expected to pay off.

Lighter Pieces

Since office furniture is expected to get smaller (and because fewer resources are used to make green office furniture), 2012 is also going to be a year with lighter pieces. This not only works better for the environment, but it allows you to move pieces around to give the office a new feeling. Use this to your advantage. Every few months, move some things around. It will keep you from getting bored of your office, and gives you a chance to find the perfect setup to promote productivity and workflow.

As 2012 progresses, you are going to see these office furniture trends explode into the mainstream market. Consider getting these pieces now, before you are left behind!