Interior Design Trends for Mobile Medical Coaches

Research shows that patients’ moods can be greatly improved by following some simple design rules like giving access to amenities, delivering positive distractions, and incorporating natural elements like plants and sunlight. Interior design trends for mobile medical coaches follow these rules to uplift patients’ moods and reduce stress.

Minimalism, balanced color schemes, and eco-friendly interior solutions are among the latest design trends. If you’d like to learn how to incorporate them in your mobile medical coach, we’ll show you how to do it as efficiently as possible.

Source: craftsmenind.com

Interior Design Trends for Mobile Medical Coaches

Just like a regular hospital, a mobile medical clinic should be minimalist with a balanced color scheme that promotes tranquility. You can contrast the simplicity of the space by adding art decor, plants, and other colorful touches. 

Below, we’ll guide you on how to create an accurate floor plan and highlight factors that will determine the size and layout of your mobile clinic. Finally, we’ll show you how to incorporate minimalism into the interior design of a mobile coach.

Choosing the Size and Layout of Your Mobile Clinic

Before you get to furnishing, you should lay out the floor plan. Here are some factors that will affect the size and layout of mobile medical coaches for accessible healthcare:

• Use case of the clinic- Mobile clinics can be used for a variety of services – blood collection, dental services, mammography, MRI, PET, and CT scans, lab tests, and training for healthcare workers. As such, you’ll need different-size equipment depending on the purpose of your mobile clinic.
• Required storage space- The more services you provide and the more patients you treat simultaneously, the more storage space you’ll need.
• Available budget: Your budget is crucial when determining the size and layout of your mobile clinic. On average, mobile medical coaches range from $100,000 to $500,000; the final price is determined after you’ve factored in the equipment, materials, design, and vehicle model. 
  

To ensure your centralized workstation has everything you need, you should first establish the use case of your mobile medical unit. We’ll now provide an example of an all-inclusive mobile medical coach used for consultations and examinations, blood and virus tests, injury treatment, vaccinations, etc.:

What a typical mobile medical coach looks like

Depending on the size and the vehicle, you can include a private consultation room separated by a sliding door. This is better done in buses, but large vans are an option, too.

Next, you can include an enclosed exam room separate from the driver's area. In some cases, the driver’s area can double as a check-in and check-out room. 

You’ll be using the exam room for virtually all medical services, meaning you’ll need to make enough space for storage. We recommend countertops with wall cabinets, a sink with a removable water tank and water pump, and cube storage organizers for extra space. A phlebotomy chair is a must; make sure it’s nicely padded and ergonomic for utmost comfort.

Don’t forget to create a separate sterile storage area for all medical equipment as well as a fridge to store medicine in cold-chain conditions.

Finally, you’ll need to install a roof-mounted auxiliary AC unit and add an electric heater to make sure your patients are comfortable at any outside temperature.

Equipment you might need

Depending on the services you want to provide, you’ll have to make space for equipment like: 

• PPE equipment, including gloves, gowns, masks, and feet and head covers
• Common medical supplies like bandages and antiseptics
• Temperature control, blood pressure, and heart rate monitoring equipment
• Screening and computer equipment 
• Lab testing equipment

Now, let’s look at some design ideas to incorporate in the interior of your coach.

What Are Some Popular Interior Design Trends for Mobile Medical Coaches?

When it comes to clinical vans, a wellness-focused interior design is a must. In other words, the interior of your van should be user-friendly and induce a state of serenity for all who enter.

When choosing furniture pieces, colors, patterns, and decor for your mobile medical coach, you should think about their impact on patients. Most medical facilities have gone down the biophilic route, which introduces natural elements to the space, like natural lighting, plants, patterns, and textures found in nature. 

Color theory plays a key role here – a biophilic color palette features lots of blue, green, yellow, gray, and brown. Lighter shades are more airy and make the area appear more spacious, whereas darker shades give off a warm and intimate vibe. 

Finally, you can consider adding some greenery in the space as well as art decor that depicts scenes from nature, like landscapes.

Foldable furniture is also among the interior design trends for mobile medical coaches. Foldable beds are entirely adjustable and save a lot of space, and stacking chairs are easily stored.

How to incorporate minimalism into the interior design of a mobile coach

Medical work frequently involves tense situations like examining and drawing blood from a patient who has a fear of needles or general anxiety in a hospital. Such situations require something to mediate the stress and relax the patient so that the medical staff can do their job.

The best way to bring a sense of calm and serenity to a medical mobile coach is by introducing minimalism. Minimalist designs perfectly capture the idea of “less is more” and are rooted in neutral colors, simple patterns, and the occasional pop of color. 

Modern hospitals have neutral-colored waiting and exam areas where gray, white, and brown predominate. Even better, these colors can serve as a foundation for introducing a splash of color into the space, like yellow, to stimulate energy and happiness.

When it comes to the furniture, keeping the place looking simple and uncluttered is key. Besides the necessary medical equipment, medical chair, and bed, you don’t need much more. 

Source: craftsmenind.com

Color Schemes That Work Best in Mobile Coach Interior Design

So, are there any specific color schemes that work best in mobile coach interior design? Earthy tones are the key to a serene patient experience. You can incorporate an earthy color palette for a serene patient experience or go with a yellow-colored palette which is associated with warmth and optimism. 

Another great option is a monochromatic color palette with just a hint of beige, which gives a clean and sterile appearance. Other colors you can implement are pastel shades, such as sky blue or mint green, which both promote balance and calmness.

Definitely avoid using a combination of gray and blue. The lack of other colors to balance out the dark blue gives the room a sad, gloomy appearance. 

In the following heading, we’ll explain what materials are commonly used in the interior design of mobile medical coaches and touch on sanitary and eco-friendly solutions. 

Materials Commonly Used in the Interior Design of Mobile Medical Coaches

Mobile medical coaches must provide a clean, sanitary, and organized environment. We already discussed the advantages of a biophilic approach to the interior design; however, the functionality of your medical van is also crucial.

Firstly, you should use materials that protect against the spread of infection together with antimicrobial coatings on finishes of hard surfaces. So, you’ll need to install antimicrobial flooring and countertops, which are often exposed to touch. Glass, ceramic, and steel surfaces coated in photoactive pigments turn antimicrobial under UV rays. 

Regarding door handles, we suggest a copper finish because it’s naturally antimicrobial/ For the surface materials, the best option is laminate, as it’s wipe-clean, waterproof, and stain-resistant. Wall, door, and ceiling panels can all be laminate; the color is up to you. 

Next, you’ll have to install wooden overhead cabinets and under-counter cubbies for storage.

For the flooring, we recommend LVT flooring or luxury vinyl tile. This material is versatile in appearance, durable, easy to clean, and cost-efficient. 

Remember to implement eco-friendly materials

Eco-friendliness is part of the biophilic design since it’s closely tied to nature. Modern mobile clinics install green flooring for visual appeal but also to reduce carbon footprint. 

Eco-friendly flooring materials include:

• Cork – highly durable and resistant to natural elements
• Regular and reclaimed hardwood – luxurious and long-lasting
• Bamboo – hard and pest-resistant
• Linoleum – highly versatile and water-resistant

How Can Interior Design Enhance the Functionality of a Mobile Medical Coach?

Besides a convenient design, interior design trends for mobile medical coaches bring on other advantages like:

• Efficient workflow- The choice of interior design directly affects the workflow. Controlled lighting, as well as noise reduction, contribute to patients’ happiness.
• Patient comfort- The materials you choose for beds and seating will impact the comfort of your patients. Choosing soft and cushiony pieces will make your patients feel super cozy.
• Latest technology- Using up-to-date technology with the latest medical guidelines for disease spread and infection is crucial. This will improve the effectiveness of your practices.
• Everything is easy to access- A proper storage system ensures that everything is within reach, which especially comes in handy in remote healthcare. 

• Antibacterial environment- By using specialized equipment and antibacterial surfaces and materials, a medical van is converted into a bacteria-free space. 

Benefits of Mobile Medical Units

There are several ways in which mobile clinics aid the community and make a difference: 

• Healthcare access to remote communities- Rural areas across the U.S. don’t have direct access to health services, and ambulances can take more than 15 minutes to arrive in these areas. Mobile medical units can solve this problem as they can accommodate a large number of patients depending on their size and offer overnight care, too. 
• Raised awareness through specialized care- Mobile medical vans are used to promote regular health screenings for men and women. For example, using custom branding for mobile mammography services will direct attention toward breast cancer awareness and encourage more women to get a checkup.
• Regular vaccinations- Most often, medical vans are used to deliver vaccines to individual communities and speed up the vaccination process. 
• Immediate EMS care- Since they can camp out whenever they want, mobile clinics provide immediate healthcare services, sometimes eliminating the need for an ambulance ride.

Mobile clinics can camp out in front of schools, workplaces, community centers, and public places in need of round-the-clock service.

Common Types of Mobile Medical Units and Their Usefulness

While we did initially talk about coaches, this doesn’t mean you’re only restricted to this one vehicle type. Here are the most common vehicles used as mobile clinics:

• Truck chassis cab mobile clinic- This is the typical choice for a universal mobile clinic that’s constantly on the move. These clinics are easier to navigate and don’t require a specialty driver’s license. For more space, you can add expandable sides and make it more convenient. 
• Semi-trailer mobile clinic- If you require more than 1,000 square feet of space, a semi-trailer provides the solution. These mobile clinics can handle a lot of weight and offer the option of expendable sides, adjustable stairs, and multiple compartments. 
• Vans and buses- You can always take a larger recreation vehicle and convert it into a specialized medical unit. However, this invites greater costs, as the adjustments required to revamp the vehicle will be very complex.

General Regulatory and Compliance Requirements

Mobile medical units are subject to specific regulatory and compliance requirements that vary from state to state. We’ll provide a general overview of some basic requirements, but you’ll have to follow the guidelines in your state. 

Most states require each mobile clinic to have a proper waste disposal system and a sterilization system tol ensure a germ-free environment. Another typical requirement is accessibility via a ramp or lifts for patients with physical disabilities.This includes adding a railing for easier access for all patients.

Finally, the medical unit should have access to clean water (including hot water) as well as a functioning bathroom.

Source: craftsmenind.com

Conclusion

The newest interior design trends for mobile medical coaches put an accent on safety, comfort, and visual appeal. This user-centered approach to healthcare interior design will ensure your patients are safeguarded from accidental contagions while being able to enjoy their stay in your mobile clinic. 

At Craftsmen Industries, we can manufacture a mobile medical coach entirely fit to your taste. We’ll make sure your patients’ needs are addressed by furnishing the coach from top to bottom and including a private exam room, restroom, wheelchair lift, and more.

If you have an image of how your coach should look, request a quote here, and we’ll be happy to bring your design ideas to life.