Hello

We are in the process of building a new hospital. Our dialysis program is involved in the design of a new dialysis clinic that will be part of this hospital. As the technical consultant for this new clinic I was asked by the architects if we wanted anti-static flooring installed in the clinic. Personally I have never heard of this type of floor for a dialysis clinic and am wondering if anyone else has. I guess it would not hurt to have one but is it overkill? Feedback would be greatly appreciated.

North,

We used to have Tina machines and portable RO's on a single cart that was sold by Baxter. It was powder coated steel and worked real nice except we would have to replace them about every other year because of rusting. At over $1000 each that got expensive real quick. We went to a fabricator who made them for us out of stainless steel for less than what we paid Baxter and they held up until we trashed them a year ago. The only problem with them was that they built up a static charge when ever they were moved around which would zap the nurses and wig out the machine requiring a re-boot. We looked into a couple options including anti-static floorcare products but found anti-static wheels that did the trick.

If I remember correctly, the anti-static flooring requires the use of special cleaners and wax. Personally, I would say that if you're not having an issue with static don't worry about it. If one develops there are easier and cheaper ways to deal with it.

Chuck

Overkill and way expensive. I think the only place they use anti static flooring is in the O.R.'s. The architect should know.