Nightingale Awards Winners Talk Furniture Design In Healthcare

Observing the evolving needs within healthcare systems to adapt to shifting patient populations and clinical requirements, whether at a single location or across multiple sites, Brewer Company (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) saw an opportunity for versatility in medical equipment.

Its Versa Exam Table is designed to deliver on that front with an adaptable fixed-height design that can smoothly transition between pediatric and adult configurations. At the 2023 Healthcare Design Conference + Expo, Nightingale Awards jurors lauded the product for solving a multitude of needs from workflow to patient assistance. The exam table earned two awards in total, including Gold in the Furniture: Clinician Support category and the sought-after Best of Competition prize.

Updating the healthcare exam table

Specifically, the table features a fixed steel base with interchangeable adult and pediatric top configurations, allowing healthcare systems to easily adapt to different patient populations, medical specialties, or healthcare settings as organizations undertake renovations or merge locations as part of system integrations.

The entire changeover process can be completed in less than 10 minutes per table, minimizing downtime and maximizing clinical efficiency. Additionally, with a 500-pound weight capacity, the design ensures the exam table can accommodate a diverse patient demographic, while thoughtfully placed handrails and storage drawers address patient safety and staff efficiency needs.

“Excellent modifications to the standard exam table,” one juror noted. “Safety features of the handrails are impressive and easy to use. Drawers are thoughtful and well-intended to meet the needs of clinicians. Much-needed innovations.”

Healthcare Design spoke with David Bussa, president, and Mary Adkinson, director of product development, at Brewer Company, about the table’s design features and how they benefit patients and staff.

Healthcare Design: What clinical and operational issue were you trying to solve with this product?

David Bussa (Headshot credit: Brewer Company)

David Bussa: Our aim was to tackle the increasing challenges in patient mobility and safety, which is particularly vital as our population ages and mobility issues become more prevalent.

For example, the table’s patient assistance handles are a direct response to aiding those with mobility challenges, such as geriatric patients. These handles not only provide support but also enhance safety by rotating backward 180 degrees, thereby creating a cradling effect that keeps the patient safely positioned during the examination.

Furthermore, in the realm of pediatric care, we aimed to cater to the full spectrum of patients, from newborns to adolescents. The Versa Exam Table is uniquely designed with features such as sloped and cushioned baby cradle edges, which ensure younger children are safely secured during exams. The cradle is wide and robust enough to comfortably accommodate adolescents. This dual…