Steelcase Health believes that research is essential: the company spends time “continually envisioning and planning exceptional approaches to the delivery of care.” Healthcare facilities are ever-evolving, as is technology. Using extensive clinical observation, Steelcase Health responds to the physical and mental needs of patients and caregivers, designing healthcare furniture that “helps people get better, faster.” Steelcase Health products include furniture and technology management systems for waiting areas, patient rooms, cafés, administrative areas, private offices, consultation rooms, and caregiver stations.
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Empath—
Winner of the Nightingale Award at the annual Healthcare Design 2011 Conference, Empath is a recliner designed for both patients and caregivers. Over 2,000 hours of research showed that moving patients often resulted in injury to healthcare providers and patients themselves. Empath responds to this information with its innovative design and detailed features. Steelcase Health transforms the recliner, “a central component of patient care and recovery,” so it reduces risks to patients and caregivers. A newly designed central locking mechanism accessible from both sides makes Empath easy to use. Dual folding arms allow for simpler patient transfers, and durable yet soft “I-skin” arm material keeps patient injuries at a minimum.
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Pocket—
Steelcase Health designed Pocket in collaboration with Modo Inc. A mobile workstation that’s configurable to accommodate evolving technologies and different users, Pocket received the Nightingale Award at the annual Healthcare Design 2010 Conference. Pocket recognizes that healthcare workers are mobile, especially since the advent of technology such as the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). The mobile cart helps caregivers communicate with one another and with patients. Pocket features three key principles: less is more; technology is changing; and people work differently. With a small footprint, Pocket takes up no more space than a person. Plus, it rolls easily and makes zero noise. Because technology changes quickly, Pocket is designed for multiple technologies—from CPUs to tablets to monitors (even pen and paper). The cart’s moveable magnetic accessories allow users to personalize their workstation quickly.
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SYNC—
As healthcare environments change, the workplace solution known as SYNC changes with them. A flexible, modular workspace, SYNC addresses the needs of caregivers by connecting people to technology and to the work process. The customizable station was designed in collaboration with HDR Architecture, Inc., a leader in innovative healthcare design. A great solution for new construction or retro-fits, SYNC was awarded Interior Design Magazine’s Best of Year Award in the caregiver workplace solution category.
Ecosustainability has been a part of Luceplan since its inception. Its vision is clear: “Design also focuses on easy, differentiated waste recovery and on weathering seasonal trends. It rationalises the assembly process to compress packaging volume, and makes use of the ultimate, highly efficient light sources.” Luceplan introduced ecological materials and technologies such as LEDs and small photovoltaic cells long before these became widely used. The company’s commitment to building objects that last “also offers better environmental compatibility.”
