The Picture of Perfect Healthcare Seating by Liz Sworden
by Julie Williamson

There is much more to healthcare seating than first meets the eye. There are the small manufacturing details that can make a big difference in helping prevent repetitive stress injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome, and associated work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Similarly, it’s important to go beneath the surface to look at ergonomic characteristics to ensure the right chair is chosen for any given purpose. In some cases, the wrong decisions could lead to serious short- and long-term medical problems.

Clearly, the ramifications are enough for healthcare personnel at every level to pay closer attention to seating. For Ed Metzger, president of BioFit Engineered Products, a Bowling Green, Ohio-based manufacturer of ergonomic seating solutions to global markets, the key is becoming informed on what to look for and watch out for. “Hospitals and healthcare settings offer the most diverse and challenging set of circumstances for seating buyers,” said Metzger. “That’s because every environment, from patient registration and intake areas to emergency rooms, administrative offices, radiology units and beyond require customized seating solutions.”

Chairs that are built to be ergonomically correct have been proven to lessen the effects of stress on the body. According to the National Association of Personal Injury Lawyers’ website, pressure in the workplace can amplify the risk of lower back and repetitive motion injury. Metzger underscored this point. “Many don’t realize how important an ergonomically correct chair is until there is a problem. But even for those who don’t experience an injury, the impact can be felt in other ways, such as premature fatigue, which can lead to lapses in concentration and mistakes – things no one working in the healthcare field can afford.

“While BioFit may not be as much of a household name as some of our larger competitors, our chairs more than stand up to the same standards,” Metzger continued. “We’ve conducted decades of physical motion and posture studies, making us specialists in the field of ergonomics and experts at engineering safe, comfortable and performance-enhancing chairs. And that’s critical, whether you’re a neurosurgeon, dietician or lab technician.”

This heightened focus on the importance of ergonomics is underscored by recent research which has found that conventional wisdom about “sitting up straight” may, in fact, be the wrong thing to do after all. According to a study posted December 1, 2006 on Ergoweb.com, sitting in an upright 90-degree position puts disproportionate strain on spinal disks and the corresponding muscles and tendons of the back. Researchers concluded that it was better from a biomechanical perspective to sit in a more relaxed posture, reclining back at a 135-degree angle – a position supported by BioFit products.

“At BioFit, we try to give you one less thing to worry about,” said Metzger. “Our entire team from the top down is focused and dedicated to serving the needs of customers. All of our seating products are extremely durable and backed by an industry-best 13-year warranty!”

While the correlation between poor seating posture and injury has been well known for nearly a century, BioFit’s efforts to spread the word are just beginning to be felt throughout the healthcare industry. Good reason to start looking into the matter. Log on to www.biofit.com/or to learn more.

For more information, contact Liz Sworden at 1-800-597-0246 or by e-mail to liz.sworden@biofit.com.

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, BioFit Engineered Products is an industry-leading manufacturer of ergonomic seating, cafeteria and mobile tables, and carts for healthcare, office, industrial, educational, bio- and high-tech, hospitality, and custom environments.