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Before there were curtains, now there are screens

“I am happy, because I realize now how satisfied we are. In the last four years I have not had a single problem reported with the Silentia folding privacy screens. In a survey for our new hospital, everyone told us: ‘ More screens please ’.”

Silvia Rosery, Head of Nursing, Therapy, and Patient Procedures at the Cantonal Hospital in Uri, had some doubts initially, because many other alternatives (other screens, roll-up shades etc.) had already been looked at, but all had failed. The rooms are quite small, and the distance between the bed and bedside table is limited. After a trial period, however, the benefits of the folding privacy screens convinced her.

“I knew right away that this was a fantastic solution. It has since been integrated and well established. Nobody wants to see the old curtain solution any more. There are not many solutions, but this is a real innovation on the market with a completely new approach,” says Silvia Rosery.

A screen takes up less space than a curtain in the room.

Always looks neat – and hygiene is excellent

“The effect on the room is striking. The room always looks neat, hygiene is excellent and it’s so easy to operate,” says Silvia Rosery of the choice to use Silentia folding privacy screens to divide the 28 twin rooms at the Cantonal Hospital in Uri. Today the Silentia folding screen systems are standard for the room division of patients.

The most important requirements of room division were primarily to provide privacy, and the solution should be flexible and visually appealing. The highly movable, sometimes flapping material of a curtain offers no screening in a positive sense. In contrast, the stable panels of a folding privacy screen do offer this protection, although they are not rigid but portable, which also creates more space.

The screens can be operated with very little effort

“I had concerns initially regarding the func­tion and potential noise of the wheels, based on my experience with other medical products. But no – they are completely quiet. They are made to last and work well. The quality of the wheels has convinced us. There was a trial period for handling and the staff were quickly impressed. The technique was established after putting up and taking down the screens just 3 or 4 times. You can operate the folding screen with very little effort – that simplifies our procedures,” says Silvia Rosery.

“I am sure that the screens are used more often than the curtains ever were. Sometimes the folding screen is pulled out only half way, when visitors arrive, for example.­ They divide the room so much better. Visitors also appreciate having some privacy. This aspect cannot be underestimated.”

Silentia screens can be adapted to every conceivable area of care: in this case with a special spacer to create clearance between the unit rail and the folding screen as they provide more space for hoses and cables.

Benefits of the screens according to Silvia Rosery:

  • They are very practical, straightforward and fit perfectly into our workflow.
  • They can be draped around the bed and the axis can be shifted.
  • They provide a better overview of the entire room.
  • You can see the heads of your colleagues above the screen, you no longer have to call through the curtain.
  • With the screens you do not feel imprisoned, you feel shielded.
  • A screen takes up less space than a curtain in the room.
  • Patients and nursing staff feel more comfortable with the screens than the curtains.

“The screens are very practical and straightforward. They fit perfectly into our workflow. They are an integrated and well established solution.”
Silvia Rosery, Head of Nursing in the Cantonal Hospital in Uri

Uri Cantonal Hospital is an emergency hospital with an additional department for long-term patients. It provides extended primary health care for approx. 35,000 inhabitants.

Patients did not enjoy the atmosphere with curtains

“I have not heard any problems with the room dividing in the last four years. Before I had a complaint about the curtains at least every week, for example, they were: ‘not washed’, ‘not returned’, ‘dirty’ etc. Now I am aware that that has all changed.” About the various problems with the curtains, she says:

  • The curtain was either too close to the bed, too far away, too low or too high.
  • The material quickly got dirty and stained.
  • Although patients and nursing staff were protected, they felt restricted.
  • For patients, it also felt a bit spooky and even a bit threatening as they could only make out ominous movements and shadows behind the curtain.

The installation went smoothly

The fixing itself was a challenge as the twin rooms are quite small, and the distance between the bed and bedside table is limited. You could not mount the screens directly on the wall, but Silentia solved this problem with a spacer between the wall and screen.

“The installation went quickly and smoothly. We coordinated with the Technical Service and Bed Availability departments. The folding screens could be installed even with patients present.”

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