Pedal bins in disabled/handicapped toilets

[roserodent]

Need I say more? Argh! The hospital has a special design of pedal bin that you cannot open by hand at all. It's to help with infection control so you don't have to touch the bins. So instead you have to lean out of your chair and push the bar where others have put their feet and push it with your hand. You cannot wash your hands afterwards because the paper towel goes in the pedal bin.

Who thinks of these things? Does anyone think?

Comments

[barakta]

I suspect it's that problem of assuming they're designed for nurses and doctors who are assumed to be able bodied... People don't think of these things cos it's hard to become a nurse or a doctor if you're disabled cos even with legislation they are reluctant to implement reasonable adjustments.

I wonder what alternatives could work and still be infection controlly. Maybe IR controlled or something that was reliable and not false positiving or not working.

[amadi]

They make motion sensor trash cans with lids that open when you wave a hand over them. (Not dissimilar to the technology that works the automatic flush toilets and auto-tap sinks in a lot of public restrooms now.) You can buy them on overstock.com for the home, I'm sure there must be commercial models and sources as well.

[alchemia]

yeah, I was just going to suggest this. My mum has one in the kitchen.

[exor674]

I hate motion sensor sinks and soap dispensers... they never ever seem to want to work unless I'm in the exact right spot ( which sometimes is just outside the soap flow ) -- I know that they're useful for other people, but they're the most annoying thing ever.

[amadi]

I have issues with the sinks. They never stay on long enough to rinse my big meaty paws, so I end up frantically waving to try to get the water back on, flinging soap every where.

[roserodent]

I can't stand the motion sensor hand driers, they are the worst for me. First there is usually an issue of having to hold your hands up high, but also the sensor seems to be located behind where you have to have your hands, so it keeps going off. By the time you have found the one position that works the drier has been running for a while and is producing burning hot air that you don't want to put your hands into. You then dry your hands on your personal stash of paper towels and give it up.

My dad is terrified of motion sensor toilets. He is blind, so he doesn't know it's going to do it as he leans cautiously around to locate some form of flush button and WHOOSH!

[roserodent]

Nope, not aimed at the staff, this is specifically in the patient toilet, waiting room and patient cafeteria.