Pressalit Care, a major supplier of track-mounted fixtures for bathrooms and kitchens, has received the prestigious Architect’s Choice Distinction Award for its family of flexible bathroom mounting solutions. The award was presented by Emily Howard, editor of Facility Care magazine to Gary Nowitz, president of Pressalit Care North America, during the recent 2013 Healthcare Facilities Symposium and Expo.
“We are extremely gratified to have received this prestigious award,” said Nowitz. “The basic philosophy in all our products is that a physical space such as a hospital room should be capable of being adapted to the needs of the user, not vice versa. This places a high premium on the ability to adjust the placement of fixtures to accommodate each individual patient or resident, particularly in light of the continually changing requirements in the country’s nursing homes and hospital rooms where very few people have the same clinical needs or physical capabilities.
“The flexibility to move or adjust placement of fixtures such as sinks, toilets, and shower seats offers both short- and long-term economic advantages. For example, easy replacement and relocation of components from one room to another means that owners can save money on buying sub-components, as all rooms rarely need to be fully equipped. Long term, the administrator doesn’t have to worry about future conversion costs when a new resident or patient with different needs moves in. He simply determines the new resident’s needs and adjusts the placement of components accordingly.”
Relocation of bathroom fixtures in the Pressalit Care PLUS line is accomplished via a unique wall-mounted track system that allows horizontal and vertical adjustments using simple, easy-to-use adjustment handles. Pressalit Care’s track systems are widely used throughout Europe to adapt the layout of bathrooms to suit the varying size or disability requirements of individual users.
In addition to providing easy vertical and horizontal adjustment options for components, the PLUS Series features rounded edges and a closed design with a minimum of slits and grooves. This gives the system’s components a smooth, even surface that facilitates cleaning and encourages a greater degree of personal hygiene. Also, components are available in a wide range of colors, making it possible to personalize the bathroom while also acting as effective visual aids for elderly users and the visually impaired. Finally, the simple Scandinavian design gives the PLUS series a pleasing, modern look.
Commenting on the issue of quality of life for people with disabilities or infirmities, Nowitz stated, “Mounting flexibility provides a greater degree of personal independence, thus it isn’t just an economic advantage for owners and operators. It also improves the quality of life of users who are thus faced with fewer daily challenges to overcome and can now perform daily tasks more easily on their own. Furthermore, in our experience this has a positive spin-off effect on staff well-being and job satisfaction as well. It’s a win-win all around.”