Exploring Why A Partner Approach Is Vital In Healthcare Design At Bisnow's Oct. 16 Event

When constructing or renovating healthcare facilities, time is of the essence, because exposure to construction dust and debris can compromise patient wellness. Additionally, as hospitals work around the clock, any project delays can impact patient comfort and care as well as the facility’s bottom line.

When a renovation involves new flooring, Shaw Industries Vice President of Equity Partnerships John Bernatz stressed the importance of including flooring manufacturers in the project team to reduce or avoid disruptions to project delivery.

“Hitting those timelines is critical for healthcare facilities because their revenues and their performance are based on bringing space back online,” Bernatz said.

Engaging the flooring manufacturer at the start of a project helps ensure the right types of flooring material are specified from the outset, supporting improved healthcare outcomes, maximizing procurement and budget efficiency, and enabling accurate forecasting for on-time material delivery, he said.

Shaw Industries, one of the world’s largest flooring manufacturers, works with design teams and healthcare facilities to create flooring that fits the needs of the space.

Bernatz will speak at Bisnow’s Pacific Northwest Healthcare Conference on Oct. 16 in Seattle on the topic of Optimizing Patient and Staff Experience: Design and Construction Outlook.

Click here to register and purchase tickets.

Bernatz walked Bisnow through the decision-making process for flooring design in healthcare spaces.

Form Follows Function 

Bernatz said that the space’s purpose is the first consideration for selecting the appropriate flooring. An operating room comes with specific criteria, such as needing to be waterproof and having coving between the floor and the walls. Medical office building hallways, on the other hand, come with more flexibility in the design. 

For healthcare systems, selecting flooring for an operating room may come with unique challenges, and innovative alternatives are emerging to better support performance and compliance in these critical spaces, he said.

The Facility Guidelines Institute requires operating room flooring to be monolithic and coved 6 inches, which has traditionally meant resilient sheet products such as vinyl or rubber. Bernatz said that Shaw can help hospitals meet these requirements with modular homogeneous tile, an innovation that satisfies code while delivering elevated performance, flexibility and design for the most critical healthcare spaces.

“Shaw Industries strives to be a knowledge-led partner to health systems, guiding decision-makers on the flooring materials best suited to each space while delivering solutions that meet regulations and balance aesthetics with long-term performance,” Bernatz said.

Getting Creative With Design

Bernatz said that as the architectural design of healthcare spaces continues to modernize, Shaw Industries is embracing innovative flooring solutions. While Shaw can deliver durable, resilient surface products where needed, it also incorporates soft surface options, particularly in waiting areas, to enhance comfort and experience.

“We could do some really interesting designs and patterns with the carpet tile to give it a homey effect,” he said. “From an interiors perspective, it’s about trying to make healthcare less clinical-feeling and more inviting.”

He added that healthcare facilities shouldn’t need to compromise on design to meet their budgets.

“We offer the same flooring visuals in multiple thickness options, which can help manage cost without compromising design,” he said. “Many of our visuals are also available in both resilient sheet and plank formats, allowing us to guide clients on where plank can be specified strategically to reduce both material and labor expenses.”

Getting On The Same Page

Bernatz said Shaw Industries serves as both a flooring supplier and a strategic partner to its clients.

“As the manufacturer, we bring deep expertise to help clients make informed decisions,” he said. “We walk their spaces, listen to their needs, consider budgets and maintenance cycles, and then recommend tailored solutions that align performance, design and long-term value.”

Click here to learn more about Bisnow’s Pacific Northwest Healthcare Conference.

This article was produced in collaboration between Studio B and Shaw Industries Group Inc. Bisnow’s editorial staff was not involved in its creation.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.