Kidney Care and Floor Care: Addressing the Danger Zone Right Underneath Your Feet

When it comes to managing a dialysis center, every decision impacts patient safety, comfort, and operational efficiency, not to mention being audit ready at all times.  

From the placement of equipment to the choice of flooring, each component plays a critical role in creating an environment conducive to health and wellness.

Floor care, while often overlooked, is exceptionally significant. With the risk of contamination and infection running high in medical facilities, particularly dialysis centers, choosing the right flooring and maintaining its cleanliness are non-negotiable priorities for healthcare facility managers.

Why Flooring Matters in Dialysis Centers

Dialysis centers see a high volume of patients, with typical hours-long hemodialysis treatments. Factor in the constant movement of medical staff, rolling equipment, and strict sanitization protocols, and it's clear that the flooring must endure significant wear and tear while remaining impeccably clean.

According to  Melissa Morales, OpenWorks Regional Performance Manager, "Taking care of the floor in a dialysis center is something that not everyone thinks about, but some people have to be in the building for up to 4 hours, three days a week.”

Dialysis floors must also:

• Minimize Infection Risks: With blood and bodily fluids being handled regularly, the risk of contamination is high. Flooring must be seamless, liquid-resistant, and bacteria-resistant to help prevent infection.
• Enhance Patient Safety and Comfort: Patients often spend long hours in treatment. Safe, easy-to-maintain flooring contributes to a welcoming and functional space for both patients and staff.
• Resist Harsh Cleaning Products: Frequent sanitization is essential in dialysis centers. The flooring should be able to withstand hourly cleaning and disinfecting without damage.

Choosing the right flooring isn’t just a design decision; it’s a safety strategy.

“The healthcare industry, particularly facilities that care for vulnerable patients, holds a special place in my heart,” says Vivi Carr, Enterprise Account Manager at OpenWorks. “These are individuals who often feel overlooked, and it’s essential to ensure their experience is anything but. For patients undergoing life-sustaining treatments like dialysis, their visit to a center isn’t optional. It’s a critical part of their lives—holidays, weekends, or New Year’s Day, the treatments must continue.”

Common Flooring Options and Their Drawbacks

Many dialysis centers lean toward popular flooring materials like vinyl composite tile (VCT) or linoleum tile due to their affordability. But, this type of floor needs consistent upkeep in a health care environment. Here’s why:

1. Seams and Bacteria Growth
   Both VCT and linoleum tile floors have visible seams between each 12-inch tile. These seams create tiny crevices where dirt and bacteria can accumulate, even with rigorous cleaning. For a facility that prioritizes cleanliness, this is a major drawback.
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2. Wear and Tear
   Over time, heavy foot traffic and persistent cleaning can chip away at the edges of tiled floors, further exposing areas where bacteria can hide and compromising the floor’s integrity.
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3. High Cost of Maintenance
   While these materials may be affordable upfront, the long-term expenses of frequent repairs, refinishing, and replacement add up over time.

When patient safety and infection control are on the line, these flooring options simply don’t make the grade. Unfortunately, to save some money, some facilities may forgo floor maintenance right up until their state survey is due.

“Floor maintenance is a crucial element of ensuring sanitation, safety, and prolonged durability in dialysis clinics. While state surveys may occur only every one to three years, it’s not uncommon to hear about clinics delaying floor work until their survey is due. For instance, some clinics may not have maintenance done for two years if they are in good standing, with no patient dissatisfaction or significant alarms raised,” Carr says.

But is this approach ideal? Absolutely not.

According to Carr, “Failing to maintain flooring expedites wear and tear and compromises safety and hygiene. At dialysis clinics, where liquids, waste, and microorganisms are deal-breakers for sanitation, neglecting floors can introduce unnecessary risks to both staff and patients.”

5 Floor Care Tips For Infection Control

Even with the best flooring option, proper maintenance is critical to infection control. Here are some actionable tips to ensure your dialysis center floors are always up to standard:

1. Adopt a Rigorous Cleaning Schedule

Dialysis centers require constant sanitation to combat the unique risks of contamination. Ensure your cleaning protocols are followed hourly in high-traffic areas and consistently across all rooms.

2. Use Appropriate Cleaning Products

Avoid cleaning agents that could potentially damage your flooring. Instead, choose neutral, non-abrasive products specifically formulated for healthcare facilities.

3. Train Staff in Cleaning Procedures

Ensure that all staff members, including janitorial teams, are well-versed in disinfecting protocols and the best practices for maintaining the specific flooring in your dialysis center.

4. Perform Regular Inspections

Inspect floors frequently for chips, cracks, or areas where wear and tear is evident. Addressing minor issues promptly can prevent costly repairs or replacements down the line.

5. Utilize Preventative Measures

Consider implementing floor mats or cover runners in entry points and high-traffic areas to reduce the wear and tear on your floors.

Caring for Your Dialysis Center Floors—For Patients and Staff

A dialysis center is more than just a medical facility; it’s a lifeline for many patients. Ensuring that the environment is safe, clean, and comfortable is a responsibility that starts, quite literally, from the ground up.

“This is where our role as OpenWorks partners can truly make a difference. It’s not just about cleaning a facility; it’s about creating a safe, welcoming environment that contributes to their care and comfort. Choosing a dialysis center isn’t just a matter of treatment—it’s about finding a space that fosters security, compassion, and dignity during some of life’s most challenging moments,” says Carr.

Choosing the right flooring and then maintaining it with diligent care is crucial for infection control, operational efficiency, and the health of everyone who steps through your doors.

Regular floor maintenance is not just about aesthetics or state compliance—it's about safety, sanitation, and the well-being of everyone in the facility. By implementing clear maintenance schedules and educating staff, facilities can ensure their flooring remains in optimal condition for years to come.

Need some help keeping your Mannington or VCT floors clean? Reach out and we'll be happy to chat!