Chairs for Hospitals and Clinics: Types and Design Features

Healthcare facilities use different types of chair, selected for the work they need to support. Their construction, functions and available options vary. Some are designed to be moved or are mounted on castors, and adjustable models may use different powered or manual mechanisms.

Types of chair used in clinics

The original overview identifies nine types:

• Dental chairs. Used in dental practices, with armrests and positioning features for dental treatment and appropriate surgical procedures.
• Procedure or surgical chairs. Designed for examinations and selected minor procedures, according to the chair’s intended use.
• Gynaecological chairs. Installed in gynaecology consulting rooms and specialist clinics for examinations, treatment and suitable minor procedures.
• Blood donation and treatment chairs. Used for blood collection; some treatment-chair models are also intended for haemodialysis. A chair’s suitability for one task does not automatically establish suitability for the other.
• ENT chairs. Used for examining the ears, nose and throat, providing treatment and carrying out appropriate minor procedures.
• Ophthalmic chairs. Used in ophthalmology consulting rooms and specialist clinics for examinations, tests and, where the model and setting allow, minor procedures.
• Aesthetic treatment chairs. Used in aesthetic clinics and consulting rooms for cosmetic or dermatological care.
• Urological chairs. Designed for particular urological examinations and treatment procedures.
• Wheelchairs and patient transport chairs. Used to move people who need mobility assistance, with the design chosen for the person and the intended journey.

The categories describe their usual roles, while the manufacturer’s intended use defines what a particular chair can support. For example, LiKAMED’s treatment-chair range includes models for dialysis and blood donation, with different adjustment and transport features.

Clinical chairs also differ in how they are adjusted. Electric mechanisms are useful where staff need to change positions using a control panel or handset, as in some gynaecological, surgical and dental models. Some manufacturers offer hydraulic adjustment instead. Compare the actual range of movement and controls with the planned clinical work.

Hygiene, comfort and construction

Hospital and clinic chairs share several selection priorities: cleanability, reliability, an appropriate load capacity and safe use. The source describes synthetic upholstery with a seamless surface. Such designs can be easier to clean, with fewer seams where dirt and fluids may collect. Resistance to staining or absorbed odours depends on the material and its condition; a seamless cover does not prevent all microbial contamination or replace cleaning and disinfection.

Use products and methods compatible with the upholstery and other components. CDC recommendations on disinfection distinguish the cleaning and disinfection of noncritical surfaces from the sterilisation required for critical instruments. Routine treatment of a chair does not make it permanently sterile. Any damaged surface that cannot be cleaned effectively needs attention.

The source identifies polyurethane as a common padding material and describes it as having shape memory. The properties of polyurethane foams vary: not every foam is memory foam. Suitable padding and section contours can support comfort and help a person relax during treatment, but they cannot guarantee freedom from discomfort during a long appointment. Positioning and the person’s individual needs also matter.

The original article also calls synthetic upholstery entirely safe and non-allergenic. Material suitability and known sensitivities should be assessed for the intended users; no generic upholstery label guarantees that an allergic reaction will never occur.

Chair frames are often made from metal, including stainless steel or powder-coated metal. These materials and finishes can help resist corrosion, but damage, repeated use and unsuitable cleaning products can affect their condition. A frame’s material alone does not guarantee that it will never deteriorate.

Weight limits and electric adjustment

The source recommends a sustained load capacity of at least 150 kg and notes that some chairs on sale have lower limits. This is the original article’s suggested purchasing benchmark, rather than a universal requirement or a safe capacity for every patient. Check the manufacturer’s stated maximum patient weight and any separate safe working load, including relevant accessories. The Midmark Ultra-series dental chair user guide, for example, provides the limit and operating conditions for its specified models. A recommendation in a general overview cannot override those instructions.

For an electrically adjusted chair, check the documented electrical protection and permitted installation and operating conditions. The drive may sit inside a protective housing, but the housing alone does not establish protection from electric shock. The source describes a battery for operation when mains electricity is unavailable; battery backup is a model-dependent feature, so confirm whether it is fitted, which functions it supports and how long it can operate. Follow the manufacturer’s charging, inspection and servicing instructions.

Original source: Zaplata — Chairs for hospitals and clinics.