Healthcare Design - January/February 2025 - 25

Best of Innovation
product new and innovative, but it was fun to use, " one juror noted. " The
smooth operation, balance, and momentum of the opening and closing action
feels good in your hands. "
Healthcare Design spoke with Amanda McClure, senior product manager
for the interiors group at Standard Textile, and Gilles Dumoulin, CEO at
Altex, about the shade's design and operational features.
Off the chain
Standard Textile and Altex deliver a chain-free,
wand-controlled solar shade as an alternative to
traditional roller models
IN 2022, THE Window Covering Manufacturers
Association introduced a revised safety standard
to eliminate free-hanging chains and cords from
window covering products, which would go into
eff ect in June 2024. Standard Textile partnered
with Altex, a Canadian window coverings company,
to introduce a chain-free shade option that
improves safety and maintenance.
The product-solar shades with Newton HighSpeed
Lite-Lift technology (Newton)-was
awarded a Gold Award in the Window Shading &
Treatments category and Best of Innovation in
the Nightingale Awards at the 2024 Healthcare
Design Conference + Expo. " Roller shades have
been around for decades, and it has taken THIS
long to fi nd a solution to eliminate chains without
having to upgrade to motorized shades in
clinical environments, " one juror commented.
Newton's chain-free, manual operation enhances
durability and ease of use, with two options
for wand control: a standard pull wand
and an accessible loop wand. " Not only was this
Amanda McClure
Healthcare Design: Jurors appreciated Newton for " addressing
a big need in the market. " What issues were you trying to solve
with this product?
McClure: Motorized shades aren't always feasible, so we needed a safe,
practical, and visually appealing alternative. Newton High-Speed LiteLift
technology meets stringent safety standards with a chain-free solution
that's easy to operate. The sleek wand control and customizable
fabric options, including blackout and sheer, ensure the shades enhance
both functionality and aesthetics in healthcare settings.
Dumoulin: Safety was central to Newton's development. By eliminating
chains and cords, the product reduces risks for children and elderly individuals
and meets industry safety standards.
How did feedback from patients and clinical staff help guide the
product's design and features?
McClure: Patients frequently found chain-operated shades diffi cult to
operate, and breakage was a common issue. With Newton, an easy pull of
the wand raises or lowers the shade in a quick and smooth action, making
operation more intuitive.
How does the product's design support durability and infection
control needs in healthcare?
Dumoulin: The hem bar can be pulled down to adjust the shade without
damaging internal mechanisms. This feature minimizes wear and tear,
extending the product's lifespan.
McClure: Additionally, the wand is crafted from an easy-to-disinfect
hard surface, and the shade fabrics can be quickly wiped down. This
makes it a straightforward and practical solution for hygiene-sensitive
environments.-RM 
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
25
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STANDARD TEXTILE
Healthcare Design - January/February 2025

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