Nurses Pernilla Svensson is a registered nurse in Klippan, near Helsingborg in southern Sweden. For the past 20 years, she has worked in a variety of hospital settings. ECO for Sustainable Design filmed her sharing some of her experiences regarding the working environment in the healthcare sector. Without much previous reflection on noise and the […]
healthcare
Acoustic intervention at St. Marien-Krankenhaus Siegen Hospital
Acoustic intervention by Ingrid Fuchs (Concept Developer Healthcare Environments at Ecophon Germany) and Dr. Martin Schmelling (Specialist in Anesthetics, St.Marys Hospital) In July 2014 an optimization and acoustic intervention started in the pre-located areas of the OR (pre-op and post-op patient areas) at the St. Marien Hospital in Siegen, Germany. It has been a challenge […]
How the latest healthcare design trends impact the acoustics
The latest trends in healthcare design aim to construct environments that are fit for healing and consider the patients’ experience. Hospitals seem to be undergoing the same transition as offices did a while back; they are becoming more open, using more glass and light surfaces, and making the most of natural daylight and splashes of […]
Activity noise level halved in Birmingham ward
At Sandwell General Hospital in Birmingham, England, replacing the old, reflective ceiling with a highly sound-absorbent Class A ceiling has reduced noise levels in the corridors of Priory Ward 4 by half. Acoustics “A major improvement,” according to Andrew Parkin, an acoustics expert at Cundall, a consulting firm. See the sound propagation animation below. Noise […]
Acoustic research in care of the elderly
Scientists are currently investigating the role of acoustics in the care of the elderly, under the leadership of Nicole van Hout. She is co-owner of Level Acoustics and is participating in a major research project entitled “Life enrichment care. Building physics interventions for the well-being of frail elderly.” The project aims to enhance physical environmental […]
Interview with Alessandro Caruso
Alessandro Caruso is a UK-based architect committed to creating healing environments for the healthcare industry. Healthcare design Alessandro Caruso’s interest in healthcare design stems from a personal experience that gave him a mission: to improve the healthcare environment for patients. Many years ago, Alessandro had a serious motorcycle accident that left him confined to bed […]
New digital Healthcare magazine
Over the past 40 years, average noise levels in hospitals have increased by a full 15 decibels (dB) reaching levels of around 70 decibels. Exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 35 dB for a healing environment! Members of staff devote about 40 percent of their work time to communicating in one way or […]
New digital magazine about healthcare acoustics
A new digital magazine about healthcare acoustics, the ECO for Sustainable Design – Healthcare edition, has recently been released. Available via Google Play (and soon App Store), this digital publication is choc-a-bloc with case studies from the healthcare sector. It can easily be shared with friends who work in healthcare professions and others interested in […]
Sound Environment improved in NICU at UZ Leuven
The sound environment was improved in one of the bays in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Leuven when installing acoustical islands. NICU The NICU has an innovative design focused on improving conditions for both staff and patients. The general layout is based on 3 interconnected bays. Each bay has 12 single-unit patient rooms […]
Initiative about the impact of untreated hearing loss
Infographic for parents Through the Listen Hear! public education initiative, EPIC Hearing Healthcare is educating employers and consumers on the impact of untreated hearing loss, so they “Listen Up” and take steps now to address and treat hearing loss, and to safeguard healthy hearing for the future. Listen Up and Live Life to the Fullest… Click […]