MONTGOMERY, Minn. - Biovation is marketing its corn-based wall panel for use in hospitals as an easy-to-clean surface that can also be used for custom-digital wall art in healthcare facilities.

 

Healthcare facilities increasingly use wall art to promote comfort and healing, but they have to be readily hospital/healthcare acquired infection (HAI) Future wall art utilization will be influenced by HAI concerns, the preference for glass-free yet disinfectant-resistant surfaces, sustainability initiatives, and custom-imagery trends.

Providing a glass-free, disinfectant-resistant surface facilitates cleaning which could also aid  prevention.

 

HAIs are a rising concern.  While experts debate HAI sources, an increased rigor and frequency of surface cleaning is part of any prevention plan. 

 

Often supported by donors, many hospitals now have art initiatives that include wall art.  Disinfectants can damage canvas prints and murals.  While walls are not disinfected as frequently as high-touch surfaces, periodic cleaning is necessary.  Headwall panels in patient rooms and displays in surgical/ICU rooms require more frequent cleaning.  Glass-covered wall art facilitates cleaning, but is often not preferred due to added weight, cost, and glare.

 

Healthcare-facility owners increasingly employ eco-friendly materials given sustainability initiatives and economic incentives via building certifications like LEED.  This favors bioplastics over petroleum-derived materials and non-toxic materials over harmful substances like formaldehyde and PVC/vinyl.

 

Most wall art is selected from existing collections.  Designers prefer creative themes (e.g., teddy bears and stethoscopes in pediatric wings, local sport/artist photos in lobbies, etc.), though custom options are often unavailable or expensive.

 

Can you find eco-friendly, glassless wall art that can withstand cleaning, incorporate any custom image, and do so economically?  Yes - BioSurf addresses these factors.  BioSurf prints any custom-digital image onto a bio-based, eco-friendly film protected by a transparent topcoat.  BioSurf is bonded directly to drywall, integrated within wall panels, or fabricated into alternatives to canvas prints and pictures.  BioSurf is resistant to steel wool and cleaners like ammonia, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and acetone, making it a promising new decorative surfacing solution for the healthcare market.

 

"We love our BioSurf headwall panels featured in each of our new patient rooms," said Jackie Hamilton, Director of the University of Kentucky Arts in HealthCare Program.  "BioSurf enabled us to incorporate artwork and photos of local venues within a very durable and easy-to-clean surface."

 

"Our healthcare-facility client insists on PVC-free and eco-friendly materials.  We were happy to find BioSurf which provided a perfect solution for integrating custom images into a decorative panel," said Marianne Miller of HOK, one of the world's leading architecture & design firms. "We used natural images in panels behind nurse stations and reception areas.  The Client also requested a graphic feature at each patient room entry, which we provided by placing a unique graphic panel next to the door, color coded per floor.  The images turned out beautifully, and the project was a great success."

 

Using BioSurf, the creative works of photographers, artists, and designers can increasingly enhance the ambience of hospitals, pediatric facilities, doctors offices, nursing homes, dental practices, educational & multi-purpose facilities, nurseries, and more.  BioSurf can also be used on high-touch surfaces like doors, overbed tables, bed rails, and furniture.

 

About Biovation

 

Biovation Acquisition Company sells patents and products that solve industry challenges surrounding performance, sustainability, and safety.  Current innovations include HySoy™, BioSurf®, MicroPly™, Stratus™, BioFire™, SafeLens™, and OptiClean™.  Many Biovation products incorporate Cradle-to-Cradle Certified™ Ingeo™ polylactic acid by NatureWorks.  Biovation drives patent sales through http://www.biovation.net and product sales through product-specific websites such as http://www.biosurfsolutions.com.  BioSurf is an award-winning, bio-based (formaldehyde-free & PVC-free) decorative laminate which offers custom digital imagery, transparent scratch-and-chemical resistant surfacing, high formability, and on-demand production for applications including wall panels, table tops, cabinets, furniture, ceiling tiles, signage, and more.