Healthcare Seating

Empath 

by Steelcase Health
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    The Empath recliner is a crucial step forward in the health process – one developed entirely from real-world insights based on thousands of hours of observation and analysis. Its design considers the needs of both patients and clinicians as primary users.

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    Insight-Driven

    DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PATIENTS + CLINICIANS

    The Empath recliner is a crucial step forward in the health process – one developed entirely from real-world insights based on thousands of hours of observation and analysis. Its design considers the needs of both patients and clinicians as primary users.

    Across healthcare applications, Empath is designed to reduce stress and the potential for injury for both patients and clinicians while increasing physical and emotional connectedness.

    Features

    Patient leaning on an Empath Recliner armrest Open image tooltip

    PATIENT + CLINICIAN AS PRIMARY USERS

    Our research revealed that clinicians’ top concerns are keeping patients comfortable and safe while promoting overall quality of care. Empath is designed to meet these needs and help empower patients and clinicians alike.

    In the patient room.
    Empath eases patient transfer, giving clinicians more opportunity to focus on quality interactions and human connection.

    In an exam room.
    Empath brings clinicians eye-to-eye with patients to encourage communication, teaching and learning.

    Close-Up of flip down arm on an Off-white Empath Patient Recliner Open image tooltip

    MINIMIZE STRAIN + STRESS

    For clinicians, moving patients from bed to chair is inherently difficult due to patient limitations and the number of times these transfers are performed. Empath eases this process.

    Easy-Access Arms
    Empath dual flip-down arms allow for easy access no matter where the chair is positioned.

    Convenient Central Lock
    The central locking system has easy-to-activate pedals, located where clinicians need them – tucked in toward the front, on both sides of the chair.

    patience room with a green Empath chair, a large sofa and a medical bed. Open image tooltip

    VERSATILITY + QUALITY

    Empath recliner seating offers the quality, versatility and variety of features needed for the evolving needs of healthcare environments. With both essential and advanced features, it adapts to a wide range of uses in clinical spaces including patient and exam rooms and infusion spaces.

    Insights

    medical exam space with Node stools, Empath chairs and IV medicine Open image tooltip

    SAFETY IS A TOP CONCERN

    Clinicians and patients both face risks to their safety and comfort – and traditional recliners fail to address the problem.

    • One in three clinicians surveyed has experienced an injury related to performing patient transfers. – Steelcase Health survey
    • Nurses rank second for back injuries suffered on the job, when compared to other professions. – American Nurses Association
    • Eighty percent of patient falls occur in the patient room. – University of Pennsylvania Medicine study
    Empath with tablet arm Patient Chair on White Open image tooltip

    THE PATIENT CHAIR IS A CLINICIAN TOOL

    Our team spent 2,000+ hours observing interactions around patient seating. Then, we surveyed 300+ nurses and other clinicians on their needs and concerns at work.

    We saw how conventional recliners caused undue strain and stress for clinicians and their patients. And we found opportunities to improve the experience.

    A Better Health Experience
    Guided by these discoveries, we developed Empath as an important tool for clinicians and a step toward wellness for patients. Its user-friendly features help create a safer, higher-quality healthcare experience.

    Empath Open image tooltip

    Clinical Worker Wellbeing

    Reimagining healthcare spaces begins with insights about what people want and need. This study serves as a starting point to understand the needs of clinicians. It also confirms that the environment has a big effect on people’s experiences, emotions and behaviors.

    View the findings

    EnvironmentalOpen image tooltip

    Sustainability

    Designing for Sustainability

    We create products that are good for people, and good for the world. Our products and operations are designed around a commitment to reduce climate change, reinforced by sustainable practices across our value chain.
    Our Sustainable Design framework ensures our products are designed with consideration of life cycle thinking and cradle-to-cradle principles:

    • Source materials responsibly
    • Minimize global warming and other life cycle impacts
    • Ensure material health
    • Enable end-of-use strategies

    Read More

    Empath Product Environmental Profile

    Specifications

    Standard + Optional Features
    Dimensions
    Global Availability

    Standard + Optional Features

    Standard + Optional Features

    Empath

    Standard Features

    • Central lock (dual-sided)
    • Back recline paddles (dual-sided)
    • Footrest control lever
    • Molded urethane upper arms
    • Casters
    • Footrest scallop
    • Bumpers

    Optional Features

    • Dual flip-down arms
    • Trendelenburg (dual-sided)
    • Adjustable headrest available in two styles
    • Tablet arm
    • Directional Steering
    • Push bar
    • Pull-out footrest
    • Heat and massage
    • IV pole and holder
    • 26″W seat
    • Softer seat
    • Drainage bag holder
    • Moisture Barrier
    • Metal legs
    • Rounded back and seat cushion

    View more details and dimensions

    Empath with Fully Upholstered Arms

    Standard Features

    • Individually locking casters
    • Integrated back recline
    • Footrest control lever
    • Fully upholstered arms
    • Footrest scallop
    • Bumpers

    Optional Features

    • Central lock (dual-sided)
    • Trendelenburg (dual-sided)
    • Plastic arm caps
    • Adjustable headrest available in two styles
    • Tablet arm
    • Pull-out footrest
    • Heat and massage
    • IV pole and holder
    • 26″W seat
    • Softer seat
    • Push bar
    • Directional steering
    • Drainage bag holder
    • Moisture barrier
    • Metal legs
    • Rounded back and seat cushion
    • Dual flip-down arm

    Surface Materials

    Plastic

    • Midnight
    • Sterling Dark
    • Platinum Solid

    Thermoform (Tablet Arm)

    • Seagull
    • Arctic White
    • Ultra White
    • Dune

    Paint (Metal legs)

    • Midnight
    • Sterling Dark

    Dimensions

    Dimensions

    Empath Dimensions

    Dimensions in inches
    Overall depth 31 1/4″
    Overall width 31 5/8″ and 34 5/8″
    Overall height 46 5/16″
    Seat depth 21″
    Seat width 23″ and 26″
    Seat height 20″
    Arm height 26 3/8″
    Full recline 73 3/16″

    View more details and dimensions

    Global Availability

    Global Availability


    This product is available in the following regions:

    • North America
    • Middle East
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    Let’s Get Started

    We would love to hear from you! Whether you need general information, planning a project, requesting design support or a quote, our specialists are here to help you at any stage.

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