Scalable emergency capacity and hygienic privacy at New Aalborg University Hospital (NAU)
At Aalborg University Hospital, flexibility, hygiene and patient dignity go hand in hand. Through close collaboration with Silentia, the hospital has implemented both a permanent privacy screen solution throughout the facility and a rapidly deployable screen solution that can be assembled quickly to accommodate patients in an emergency or disaster scenario.
Modular design and integrated infrastructure
Central to Aalborg’s PopUp hospital privacy solution is the modular design of Silentia’s privacy screens, assembled using an intuitive click system that requires no tools. Stored in palletized crates for efficient transport and deployment, the Silentia PopUp screens are quick to assemble and provide sturdy, hygienic and private treatment areas in what would otherwise be an open hall.
Developed in partnership with Medical Scandinavia, the system also integrates a supply panel that attaches onto the privacy screens and connects to ceiling-mounted utilities. Each supply panel serves two beds with plug-and-play access to medical gases, suction, power, and data, and can easily be expanded if needed.
When Aalborg University Hospital sought to strengthen its emergency preparedness, Silentia and Medical Scandinavia delivered the first solution of its kind in Denmark. The scalable system creates fully operational treatment spaces even in temporary environments, while maintaining an optimal working environment for healthcare professionals with sufficient space and equipment around each patient to deliver high-quality care.
The Silentia PopUp concept originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the need for rapidly deployable healthcare environments became evident. In the event of a major accident or sudden surge of patients, staff can construct the Silentia PopUp to establish 11 fully functional emergency beds in the ambulance bay , directly connected to the emergency department. The setup of this ‘hospital in a box’ takes less than an hour. The complete PopUp solution is stored in crates in the hospital basement and can be deployed immediately when the preparedness plan is activated.
Hospitals require additional space
Events
Vaccinations
Pandemics
Military operations
Natural disasters
A permanent commitment to hygiene and sustainability
This focus on flexibility and hygiene extends throughout the entire hospital. More than 300 Silentia screens have been installed across departments to ensure hygienic and environmentally responsible patient privacy. Several screens from the former hospital have been reused, demonstrating the durability and longevity of the screens, part of a sustainable design approach.
The screens separate beds in multi-bed rooms and shield patients in examination areas. Easy to clean and designed to reduce the risk of bacterial growth, they provide a significantly more hygienic alternative to privacy curtains while reducing environmental impact by eliminating the need for frequent washing and replacement.
Specific screen types were chosen as solutions tailored to certain clinical needs, including wall-mounted and floor-mounted folding screens, in various heights and lengths, along with other specifications depending on room function. In recovery areas, staff must be able to monitor patients when necessary, while other rooms require full visual privacy. Many spaces also include mobile headwall-mounted screens with flexible sections that allow complete enclosure around the patient.
From early collaboration to finished installation
Silentia managed the entire project process from early planning, design services, and specification assistance to production in Falkenberg, Sweden, logistics and installation. Early collaboration with architects, regional authorities, project managers and nursing staff proved to be a key factor in the project’s success, ensuring that each space received the right solution.
The result is a cohesive, long-lasting and scalable screening system that strengthens emergency preparedness, improves hygiene standards and enhances both patient dignity and the working environments of healthcare professionals.
Contact us to learn more about this project or visit the Silentia PopUp product page.
