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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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
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.
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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.
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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
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
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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.
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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.
Open image tooltipSustainability
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
Product Range
23”W Empath
Fully Upholstered Arms
26” Wide
Tablet Arm
Specifications
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
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″ |
Global Availability
Global Availability
This product is available in the following regions:
- North America
- Middle East
Not available in your region?
If you're interested in purchasing a product that's not available in your region, please contact your local dealer for purchasing options.
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