CONCORD, CA – A research report entitled “Sleep Disruption Due to Hospital Noises: A Prospective Evaluation”, from a study funded in part by The Center for Health Design, (CHD) has been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The report, which presents findings from the groundbreaking study, includes design recommendations to reduce decibel levels of typical noises that disrupt patients’ sleep in ways that are considered a significant obstacle in the healing process.
This latest report is being published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in two phases; a synopsis of the study is currently available and will be followed by the full report in the August 7, 2012 issue.
The study methodically quantifies and summarizes a range of hospital sounds and the effect they have on sleep patterns of patients, providing evidence that it is essential to improve the acoustic environments of new and existing healthcare facilities to enable the highest quality of care. The study’s results and recommendations provide a valuable evidence-based design tool that allows innovation in design, construction, and equipment to improve healthcare environments.
Sponsored by CHD through its Research Coalition, along with the Facility Guidelines Institute and Academy of Architecture for Health Foundation, the study's principal investigators are Jo M. Solet, PhD; Orfeu M. Buxton, PhD; and Jeffrey M. Ellenbogen, MD -- all from the Harvard Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine.
The original report, “Validating Acoustic Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities,” can be downloaded here.
About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD) is a nonprofit organization that engages and supports professionals and organizations in the healthcare, construction, and design industry to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. CHD’s mission is to transform healthcare environments for a healthier, safer world through design research, education, and advocacy. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org.
Media Relations Contact:
Linda P. Franklin
(925) 521-9404 ext. 123
lfranklin [at] healthdesign [dot] org