Claire Dawson
Hospital door handles are designed with convenience and hygiene in mind. They are often located higher than usual to prevent children from escaping and to allow easy pushing or pulling with the forearm or elbow. Hospital door handles are usually made of stainless steel or aluminum due to their shiny, clean appearance, and because they can be easily wiped off. However, steel and aluminum lack antimicrobial properties, allowing viruses and bacteria to survive on them for hours. As a result, some hospitals are considering using copper door handles, which have potent natural antimicrobial properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 45" above the finished floor |
| Functionality | Push/pull |
| Lock type | Mortise lock body or tubular style mechanism |
| Paddle installation | Vertical or horizontal |
| Material | Stainless steel or aluminium |
| Appearance | Shiny |
| Antimicrobial properties | No |
| Alternative materials | Copper, brass |
| Alternative material properties | Antimicrobial |
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What You'll Learn
Height of door handles
Door handles are usually installed at a height of 36 inches from the bottom edge of the door to the centre of the handle. This measurement can vary between 34 and 48 inches. This placement situates the door handle just below the door's vertical centre, ensuring it is easily accessible and practical for most users.
The height of door handles is important for functionality and accessibility. Handles should be high enough to prevent children from accessing certain areas unsupervised, but still easily reachable for adults. This is especially important in hospitals, where young patients could accidentally leave a room without supervision.
In the case of hospitals, door handles are often located 45 inches above the finished floor. This allows for easy pushing or pulling with the forearm or elbow, which is convenient for hospital staff and patients carrying objects.
In the United States, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establishes that door handles must be placed between 34 and 48 inches from the finished floor. This height range allows those with disabilities to use the handle without having to stretch or reach.
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Material of door handles
Hospital door handles are most commonly made of stainless steel or aluminium. These materials are favoured because they can be wiped off easily and their shiny appearance looks clean. However, steel and aluminium lack antimicrobial properties, meaning that viruses and bacteria can survive on them for hours.
Copper, on the other hand, is a material with potent natural antimicrobial properties. This has been known for centuries, as ancient peoples would preferentially use copper water vessels to improve water quality. Copper has been shown to inhibit or inactivate fungi (e.g. Aspergillus and Candida), viruses (e.g. influenza and polio), and bacteria (e.g. E. coli, Clostridium difficile, and MRSA).
As hospitals are renovated in the future, it may be beneficial to return to using copper and brass door handles, as well as cabinetry fixtures and buttons. While copper may not appear as clean and sterile as stainless steel, its antimicrobial properties mean that it could have as much of an epidemiological impact as an ultraviolet room sterilizer.
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Design of door handles
The design of door handles is a seemingly small but important aspect of any building, especially in hospitals where hygiene is paramount. Hospital door handles are often designed with convenience and hygiene in mind. One design feature of hospital door handles is their height; they are typically located 45 inches above the finished floor, allowing easy pushing or pulling with the forearm or elbow. This feature also prevents young children from escaping through doors as the handle height is out of their reach.
Hospital door handles also come in a variety of shapes and mechanisms. Some have lever handles, while others feature flat rectangular push plates or long, vertical handlebars. These designs offer different advantages in terms of ease of use and latching operation. For example, hospital latches with paddles on both sides of the door provide a push/pull function while still allowing the door to be latched, which is convenient for those with limited mobility.
The choice of material for hospital door handles is also crucial. Most hospital door handles are made of stainless steel or aluminum due to their shiny appearance and ease of cleaning. However, these materials lack antimicrobial properties, allowing viruses and bacteria to survive on them for extended periods. As a result, there has been a push for hospitals to use copper or brass door handles during renovations. Copper, in particular, has potent natural antimicrobial properties that have been recognized for centuries. It has been shown to inhibit or inactivate various fungi, viruses, and bacteria, making it an ideal material for door handles in healthcare settings.
While the design of hospital door handles prioritizes functionality and hygiene, it is also essential to consider other factors, such as cost and aesthetics. Finding a balance between these considerations is crucial in creating safe and effective door handle designs for hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
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Antimicrobial properties
Door handles in hospitals are often made of stainless steel or aluminum because they can be wiped off easily and their shiny appearance looks clean. However, steel and aluminum lack antimicrobial properties, allowing viruses and bacteria to survive on them for hours. This is where copper comes in.
Copper has potent natural antimicrobial properties that have been recognized for centuries. Ancient civilizations, for instance, preferred using copper water vessels as they ensured better water quality. Extensive medical literature has demonstrated copper's ability to inhibit or inactivate various pathogens, including fungi (Aspergillus and Candida), viruses (influenza and polio), and bacteria (E. coli, Clostridium difficile, and MRSA).
The antimicrobial properties of copper are so significant that it can have as much epidemiologic impact as an ultraviolet room sterilizer. As hospitals renovate in the future, returning to the use of copper and brass door handles, cabinetry fixtures, and buttons could be a wise decision.
The choice of door handle design also plays a role in reducing the spread of bacteria. Researchers from the United Kingdom compared doors with lever handles to those with flat rectangular push plates and long, vertical handlebars. They found that the push plates and vertical handlebars, which can be operated with forearms or elbows, may help reduce the transmission of bacteria by minimizing direct hand contact.
Additionally, hospital latches are designed with convenience and hygiene in mind. These latches, located 45 inches above the finished floor, allow for easy pushing or pulling with the forearm or elbow, reducing the need for direct hand contact. This design not only facilitates accessibility but also helps prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses by minimizing the number of commonly touched surfaces.
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Ease of use
Hospital door handles are designed with ease of use in mind. Hospital latches, for example, are installed with a push/pull paddle mechanism on either side of the door, allowing for easy operation without requiring a grip. These latches are typically placed 45 inches above the finished floor so that they can be conveniently pushed or pulled with the forearm or elbow. This feature is particularly useful for individuals with limited hand mobility or when hands are occupied with other items.
In certain contexts, such as a doctor's office or a psych ward, door handles may be positioned higher to prevent children from escaping or to address specific security concerns. Additionally, the use of magnetic holders and prox card readers in hospital settings can enhance security and controlled access while still allowing for relatively effortless entry and exit for authorized individuals.
The choice of door handle design and material also plays a role in ease of use. For instance, stainless steel and aluminum door handles are commonly used in hospitals due to their ease of cleaning and shiny, sterile appearance. However, these materials lack inherent antimicrobial properties, which can be found in copper and brass. As a result, there is a growing recognition of the benefits of using copper door handles in hospitals to reduce the spread of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, thus improving overall ease of use and hygiene.
Overall, hospital door handles are designed to balance security, hygiene, and functionality, ensuring that they are convenient and accessible for patients, visitors, and medical staff while also meeting relevant health and safety standards.
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Frequently asked questions
Hospital door handles are usually located 45" above the finished floor. This allows for easy pushing or pulling with the forearm or elbow, which is more convenient and hygienic.
Hospital door handles are often made of stainless steel or aluminum because they wipe off easily and have a shiny, clean appearance. However, copper door handles are preferable as they have potent natural antimicrobial properties that inhibit fungi, viruses, and bacteria.
Yes, door handles are one of the most common ways that bacterial infections are transmitted in hospitals. Fomites, the small droplets formed when a person coughs or sneezes, can spread viruses and bacteria when people touch surfaces like door handles.
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