Delivering exceptional healthcare begins with creating environments that prioritize patient safety and comfort and operational efficiency. One often-overlooked, yet critical component of this environment is flooring — a foundational element that directly impacts infection control, staff well-being and the overall patient experience.

Shaw Industries Group, a leader in commercial flooring solutions, partners with healthcare organizations to deliver sustainable, high-performance products tailored to the unique demands of medical facilities, said Shaw Vice President of Business Development John Bernatz.

Bernatz will attend Bisnow’s New York Healthcare Real Estate Conference on June 25 and moderate the Executing Capital Improvement Projects and Building Upgrades panel.

Click here to register and purchase tickets.

In a conversation with Bisnow, Bernatz shared insights into the strategic role of flooring in healthcare settings, the importance of capital renewal planning and how design choices can have an impact on both patient safety and healing.

Why Flooring Matters In Healthcare Facilities

Bernatz said that common materials such as vinyl tiles or planks can degrade, leading to seam separation and adhesive breakdown. These gaps become breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses — a serious concern in clinical settings. While surface cleaning is routine, it often fails to reach these crevices, allowing pathogens to spread via foot traffic.

Replacement cycles typically range from five to ten years, depending on traffic volume and usage, with high-traffic zones like corridors and loading areas requiring more frequent updates, while lower-use spaces can follow a longer timeline, he said.

“Flooring systems in healthcare environments must be maintained on a consistent capital renewal schedule,” Bernatz said. “Over time, wear and tear not only compromise aesthetics but also pose risks to patient, staff and visitor safety, and infection control.”

Key Considerations In Flooring Selection

Bernatz described the decision-making process for what flooring to use as a “three-legged stool” of priorities. Facilities want cost-efficiency, especially with tight capital budgets; design and aesthetics, which influence the healing environment; and sustainability, to be aligned with long-term environmental goals.

He said that the selection of materials is highly dependent on the function of each space. For example, operating rooms require seamless, watertight flooring that extends up the wall to prevent contamination. In contrast, public areas may allow for more design flexibility with resilient materials.

“Healthcare professionals spend long hours on their feet, so flooring must support comfort and reduce fatigue,” Bernatz said. “But beyond ergonomics, decisions are driven by safety, maintenance, aesthetics and compliance.”

Strategic Capital Renewal Planning

Shaw Industries takes a consultative approach to capital improvement, working closely with healthcare partners to develop long-term flooring replacement strategies that preserve assets and ensure design continuity, he said.

“Rather than replacing all the flooring at once, we help clients implement a phased plan aligned with their capital cycles,” Bernatz said. “We ensure product availability and design consistency and connect them with trusted installation partners.”

He said that flexibility is key as healthcare budgets can shift quickly. This allows Shaw to remain agile and responsive to evolving needs.

Designing For Patient Safety And Healing

Shaw’s commercial brands, Shaw Contract and Patcraft, integrate evidence-based design principles to support both patient and staff well-being.

While bright, high-contrast palettes were once popular, research has shown that such environments can be disorienting for elderly or mentally vulnerable patients, Bernatz said.

“Our design teams collaborate with research institutions to develop calming, intuitive color palettes and textures,” Bernatz said. “We focus on visual cues that support safe navigation, especially since people tend to look three to four feet ahead while walking.”

To learn more or register for Bisnow’s New York Healthcare Real Estate Conference on June 25, click here.

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.