Hospital Case Study: Entrance Mat Selection

Hospital Case Study: Entrance Mat Selection

Introduction/Overview

Ronick Matting Systems specializes in aluminum entrance mats tailored for a range of industries, including healthcare facilities like hospitals, doctor’s offices, and clinics. These mats are specifically designed to help maintain a clean and safe environment by reducing the amount of dirt, debris, moisture, and other contaminants that enter the building, which is particularly important in healthcare settings where both safety and sanitation is a priority.

Project

Installing a new entrance matting system for a hospital in the Twin Cities.

Product Specifics for Hospital Case Study

Hospital Entrance Mat Details

  • Product: PediTred G4
  • Size: 6 feet wide by 18 feet in length    
  • Carpet Insert: Heavy-Duty Carpet - We recommend either Heavy Duty Carpet or Exterior Brush inserts due to its 3D wiping features.
  • Finish Type: Mill Finish
  • Frame: Tapered Angle Frame (TNG)
Aluminum entrance mat at Hospital with a brown-gray blend to camouflage dirt and debris.

In 2016, a major renovation project at a local hospital provided an opportunity to install the PediTred G4 at key entrance points. Chosen for its strength, durability, slip resistance, and ease of maintenance, the matting system has since proven to be an invaluable asset in ensuring both safety and accessibility for patients and staff. The PediTred G4 can handle 1000 lbs. per wheel load, making it the ideal entrance solution to support heavy medical equipment or patients with wheelchairs.

This hospital has more than 700 patient beds and offers over 150 different services throughout the hospital. This facility has over 4,000 full-time team members and logged over 170,000 patient days last year.

Hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare facilities require entrance matting systems that are not only ADA-compliant but also highly slip-resistant to ensure the safety and accessibility of all visitors—particularly those with mobility challenges such as patients using wheelchairs, walkers, or canes.

ADA compliant aluminum entrance mat at a Hospital

The PediTred G4 continues to perform well under the demanding conditions of the hospital, all while contributing to the overall cleanliness and safety of the facility. Its combination of strength, safety, and ease of use ensures that both patients and staff alike can move freely and confidently in this high traffic setting.

Installation Process

Estimated Installation Time: 2 hours with 2 people.  It is recommended to conduct maintenance during off-peak hours when minimal hospital patients and visitors will be impacted.

Materials Needed

The installation begins with thoroughly cleaning the existing recesses where the matting system will be placed. Any dirt, debris, or hardened material on the concrete surface is carefully scraped away and swept up. This ensures a clean, smooth base for the new entrance matting.

Once the area is prepped, the new aluminum matting system is rolled out flat and positioned into place. The matting fits securely into the recess, providing a stable,
slip-resistant surface that is ready for use.

Trimming the vinyl filler so it is even with the entrance mat rails.

The end trim is shipped oversized to accommodate for any potential expansion or contraction. Using a utility knife, the end trim is cut precisely to fit flush against the adjacent rail, ensuring a clean, seamless finish. Note: Depending on the specifics of the site, the Vinyl Filler may need to be trimmed in the field to accommodate any site deviations. This step ensures an exact fit, even in spaces that may have slight variations.

Installed aluminum entrance mat being rolled back into place.

The Outcome

Aluminum entrance mats effectively trap dirt, moisture, and other contaminants right at the door. By preventing these substances from being tracked through the facility, they help maintain not only the cleanliness of your floors but also contribute to enhanced safety, especially in high-traffic areas where slips and falls are a concern.

For this hospital’s entrance, the carpet inserts were carefully selected to maximize both slip resistance and dirt control. The chosen color combination—90% brown and 10% gray—was specifically engineered to effectively mask dirt, debris, and salt that are tracked in from the outside, keeping the entrance looking clean and professional even in high-traffic settings.

The MonoTuft Heavy Duty Carpet Inserts are made from a durable blend of nylon and polypropylene, featuring monofilament fibers that provides a vigorous brushing action. This action works to lift and trap dirt from the bottoms of shoes, preventing it from being carried further into the building. Additionally, these fibers are designed to absorb moisture quickly, preventing water from being tracked inside.

Removing retained debris from the hospital entrance recess well.

A key feature of this aluminum matting system is the perforations in the matting, which allow debris and moisture to collect in the recessed well beneath the carpet. This design not only improves cleanliness but also ensures that dirt and moisture are contained and easily removed during routine cleaning.

In fact, this system has proven highly effective, with an estimated 33 pounds of dirt being retained annually in the recess well of the hospital’s entrance. This level of dirt retention contributes to a cleaner, safer, and more hygienic environment, reducing maintenance efforts and improving the overall patient and visitor experience.

Product Recommendations for this Industry

Entrance matting isn’t just about improving safety; it plays a crucial role in maintaining a clean and sterile environment. According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), a properly installed entrance mat 15-25 feet in length can prevent 75% to 90% of dirt and debris from being tracked into a building. This significant reduction in debris helps keep the interior cleaner, reducing wear and tear on floors and improving overall cleanliness.

In addition to reducing dirt, entrance mats also provide substantial cost savings. The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) estimates that businesses can save about $600 in maintenance costs for every pound of debris barred from entering the building. This includes savings in cleaning supplies, labor costs, and even the prolonged lifespan of flooring materials.

For hospitals and medical facilities, this not only means a cleaner, safer environment for patients and staff, but also a more cost-effective approach to facility maintenance.

Overview of our Findings for this Hospital Case Study

Summary of Findings

1 entrance matting system + 170,000 logged patient days = 33 pounds of dirt retained each year.

In healthcare settings, safety and accessibility are paramount, especially when it comes to the entrance areas. Hospitals, doctor’s offices, and medical facilities see a wide variety of patients, including many who rely on mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, and canes. As the first point of contact, entrance matting systems play a crucial role in providing a safe, accessible, and welcoming environment for all.

One solution that meets these needs is the PediTred G4, a durable, slip-resistant matting system specifically designed for high-traffic areas that require ADA compliance.

Installed aluminum entrance mat at a hospital entrance.
Mat Installed:
PediTred G4

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