Practical Issues
Infection Control
Within hospital environments, hygiene is extremely important as part of infection control. Therefore “The materials used should not easily allow dirt or dust to accumulate, and wall mounted works should be recessed where possible. The works should be easily cleaned and be capable of disinfection.” (Western Health and Social Care Trust 2011) Super-bugs such as MRSA and cdifficile pray on the vulnerable so care is required to minimise spaces in which they can breed. Dirt traps are a more common terminology in design, which host such bugs. In certain spaces flush mounting and silicone sealing is required (Fig. 14). You are requested to propose an infection management protocol through implementation of appropriate surface treatments, surface types or forms through choice of production method that could be used in your design to help combat this threat. Materials must be durable to tolerate cleaning with hypochlorite (dilute bleach) solutions, in the case of contamination. Daily cleaning is with pH neutral wipes. Materials should also comply with fire regulations, either as a potential source of fire easily combustible or behaviour in the event of fire eg PVC in a fire can produce toxic fumes.
Fig. 14 Hydrotherapy suite flush mounted glass plate artworks (sealed)All items must be considered in terms of correct scale as defined under the client needs descriptions for the curator.
When commissioning artists to work in the Hospital Environment, it is important that artists are aware of the practical limitations which they should take account of. A hospital environment is substantially different from a gallery environment, where art works are carefully watched over and protected. The following is a list of criteria, which any work of art should satisfy.
Location
“The location of any artwork should not impede the functioning of the hospital by forming an obstruction or a risk to people who are blind or partially sighted. It should not create a visual diversion that might clash with signage and impede wayfinding, or risk causing collisions at busy locations. Suitably located art works can be an aid to way finding by assisting recall of a prominent piece for example, to prompt a change of direction or exit to be taken. Wall mounted art should have the ‘grounds’ to secure the weight of the art, without damage to underlying pipes or wires. Art which is patterned into the flooring has been used to good effect to assist with way finding in a relaxing, colourful and friendly manner, particularly for people with special needs.”(Altnagelvin Hospital 2011)
Robustness
“The ‘gallery’ approach of ‘do not touch’, cannot be relied on, in a hospital environment. No part of the work should be sharp, rough or easily broken. They should be well secured so that they cannot easily be moved, removed or toppled over. Picture glass should be fire retardant and non-glare glass is recommended to avoid light distortion effects. Variety in the use of tactile works which encourage interaction particularly children and people who are partially sighted or blind is welcomed, and should be specifically and robustly designed for the purpose”. (Altnagelvin Hospital 2011)
Harmony
“Patients and visitors to hospitals are often anxious, stressed, depressed and may be in a negative frame of mind. The staff are also likely to be working under stress. No artwork should therefore induce, exacerbate or compound any negative attitudes or be offensive. Many works that are ambiguous may invoke negative reactions in patients, but not necessarily in staff or others. People, when unwell, stressed or in a negative frame of mind, are more likely to interpret things negatively, than they would otherwise do”. (Altnagelvin Hospital 2011)
References
Altnagelvin Hospital 2011, Estates schemes, refurbishments & building extensions, Directorate of Estate Management. Art in Hospital., Western Health and Social Care Trust.
