Paint company unveils product that can kill bacteria in hospitals

Studies have found that healthcare facilities are infested with bacteria such as Staph, MRSA, E. coli, and VRE, and that one in 25 patients are infected by one of these bacteria during their hospital stay. One paint company claims it has a solution.

According to CNN Money, Sherwin-Williams wants to “paint a cleaner picture of hospitals.” The company says its new product, Paint Shield, can kill over 99.9% of the aforementioned bacteria after they’ve been on a painted surface for two hours.

Dr. L. Clifford McDonald of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told CNN Money that eliminating healthcare-associated infections is "a top priority" as they are "very serious threats to patient safety."

Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC says that healthcare-associated infections cost U.S. hospitals somewhere between $28 billion and $45 billion annually in direct medical costs.

Rural hospitals present unique opportunities and challenges for healthcare facility operators. Oftentimes, the infrastructure and building systems have not been updated for years and require significant improvements in order to meet today’s modern medical demands. Additionally, as these smaller, more remote hospitals are acquired by larger regional and national healthcare systems, the first step by new ownership is often to update and rehabilitate the building. But how can this be done thoughtfully, economically, and efficiently in ways that allow the engineering and facility staff to adapt to the changes? And how can the updates accurately reflect the specific needs of rural communities and the afflictions with which these areas most commonly face?

Healthcare Facilities | Dec 7, 2021

Wheeler Kearns Architects completes Howard Brown Health’s Broadway Youth Center in Chicago

The new facility will provide medical and social service programs to LGBTQI+ youth.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 23, 2021

Why vertical hospitals might be the next frontier in healthcare design

In this article, we’ll explore the opportunities and challenges of high-rise hospital design, as well as the main ideas and themes we considered when designing the new medical facility for the heart of London.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 12, 2021

Centro Hospitalario Serena Del Mar is Safdie Architects’ first project in Latin America

The hospital project is characterized by its connectivity to nature.

Healthcare Facilities | Nov 2, 2021

Key design considerations for designing the smart patient room

The complete patient experience encompasses the journey to the hospital, the care experience, and the trip back home. All these touchpoints come with an expectation.

Pictured: Boulder Community Health’s West Medical Building, Lafayette, Colo. Photo: 2020 Caleb Tkach

Cladding and Facade Systems | Oct 26, 2021

14 projects recognized by DOE for high-performance building envelope design

The inaugural class of DOE’s Better Buildings Building Envelope Campaign includes a medical office building that uses hybrid vacuum-insulated glass and a net-zero concrete-and-timber community center.