Today, owing to the fact that patient comfort and experience have become as important as the clinical outcome of treatment itself, modern healthcare has become a vital area that considers the well-being of its patients. Due to the fact that most infusion treatments administered to patients are prolonged and agonizing, specialists such as oncology, hematology, and other similar departments require advanced implements to facilitate comfort and improve the patient experience.
Infusion chairs were once construed to be an ordinary clinical furniture piece, but the infusion chair is now thought of as having a definite role to play in the overall patient journey. With the enhanced design and functionality of these chairs, comfort is no longer an isolated characteristic but also contributes to the positive physical and psychological effects on a patient’s well-being.
Importance of Comfort in Healthcare
Infusion treatments, like chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and other IV therapies can take several hours. Patients on infusion treatments commonly become uncomfortable or fatigued or anxious. It is important for comfort to be established during these sessions both for physical and psychological well-being for the patient, which ultimately can ensure better outcomes and patient satisfaction.
With this in mind, providers of healthcare are more aware of the relationship between the care environment and the mental health of the patient. A safe and comfortable environment reduces stress, gives a feeling of security, and reinforces the mindset of the patient to handle the prolonged procedure of treatment.
History of Infusion Chairs
In the old days, infusion chairs were sometimes simple utilitarian devices whose design had hardly crossed their functionality. Infusion chairs have evolved greatly with contemporary infusion chairs that bring ergonomic design together with new designs meant to address issues of comfort, safety, and individual needs of the patient.
Some of the recent design elements that have come up as added in modern infusion chairs are:
•Multi-Position Recliner: New infusion chairs have come up with various reclining positions, so patients can achieve the best position to relax while receiving treatment. Zero-gravity reclining in some chairs also offers relief from pressure points and increases blood flow.
•Better Cushioning and Support: State-of-the-art cushioning has the potential to keep patients relatively comfortable even on long treatments. The memory foam padding along with lumbar supports enables enough comfort relief from the pressure of pressure sores or even muscle stiffness.
• Temperature Control: An infusion chair has built-in heating and cooling functions that allow patients to adjust body temperature. At times, patients experience medication-induced side effects or anxiety, which may cause a variation in body temperature.
• Accessibility Features: The majority of the armchairs make controls for reclining and changing position accessible, thus suitable for patients with reduced mobility. Other features include armrests that can be activated or removed that ensure comfort for the patients as services are administered by the nurses without causing inconvenience to them.
• Assimilation of Technology: Recognizing the fact that a long infusion leaves the mind idle, most infusion chairs nowadays come with personal electronic equipment ports in-built and, hence the patients can watch a movie, read a book, or browse a Web site while receiving treatment.
Implication for Patient Experience
An infusion chair is, in fact, a seat – it’s an overall part of how the patient experiences treatments. Given the physical comfort and the sense of relaxation, these chairs also tend to reduce levels of anxiety while giving the patient a form of control, even in very complicated medical procedures.
• Less Physical Pain: Due to prolonged sitting, patients tend to develop back pain, stiffness, and even get bedsores. Infusion chairs help eliminate such aches as they can recline, alter their position, and, even at times, lie back. Patients receiving chemical therapy will be so pleased with the comfort as they can cope well with their associated side effects such as nausea and fatigue.
• Emotional and Mental Well-being: Long treatment sessions can be mentally taxing. Comfortable seating paired with entertainment options (like integrated device charging ports or reading lights) helps distract the patients, whose hours may pass easily, and are distracted by the associated mental burdens of the treatment.
• Customized care: Infusion chairs can be tailored to the needs of certain patients. For instance, position adjustment, heated seats, or cushioning that suits particular medical conditions enhance feelings of being cared for and understood by a healthcare provider.
• Infection control: Infusion chairs are manufactured using smooth materials that can easily be cleaned and disinfected. This eliminates the risk of hospital-acquired infections. This leads to better patient safety and, consequently, more confidence in the cleanliness and professionalism of the healthcare setting.
Improvement of the General Clinical Environment
Infusion chairs not only benefit the patients but also have a positive impact on the healthcare providers and clinical environments overall. Easy to manipulate, adjustable chairs ease the treatment administering roles of the nurses and the caregivers. Moreover, the sleek, stylish design of such chairs will enhance the atmosphere around the treatment area and make the atmosphere less clinical and rather welcoming.
Healthcare facilities also start to realize the aesthetic aspect of patient care. Investment in quality and comfortable infusion chairs will provide a distinguished setting for clinics that may be capable of uplifting their patients’ morale and satisfaction.
Conclusion
Infusion chairs are not an afterthought in the healthcare environment anymore. By incorporating ergonomic designs, built-in technology, and comfort considerations, infusion chairs have improved the infusion experience for patients. By eliminating physical discomfort, enhancing emotional well-being, and creating an overall better clinical environment, these chairs have emerged as a foundational element of patient-centered care.
Differences between a simple chair and a well-conceived infusion chair can make all the difference for patients on long treatments-thus infusing comfort, experience, and healing process for them.
This article was written for WHN by Ruby Fernandis who is a versatile freelance blogger who has written for many sites on topics ranging from workplace culture and home business to automobiles and beyond. With a passion for exploring diverse subjects, Ruby delivers insightful and engaging content that captivates readers.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Content may be edited for style and length.
References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.worldhealth.net/news/mental-health-benefits-working-remotely/
https://www.worldhealth.net/news/impact-remote-work-weight-and-obesity-older-adults/
Enhancing Patient Comfort with Infusion Therapy Chairs (vivid.care)
How to Prevent & Treat Pressure Wounds in a Chair – Vivid Care
