CONCORD, CA (July 8, 2010) — Peters and Associates, Architects, P.C. is the first long-term care design firm to advocate for the Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) program from The Center for Health Design. As the newest EDAC Advocate Firm, it is committing 25% of its healthcare team to earn EDAC accreditation.
“For years Peters and Associates has provided clients with facilities that meet the needs of their residents. We continually research new methods of care and their effects on the built environment. When we learned about EDAC, we easily saw the need share our experiences with the health design community, and also learn new aspects of delivering the best building possible for the resident,” says Don Peters, president of Peters and Associates.
Recent trends in the extended care field have placed emphasis on the dignity and independence of residents and patients with designs featuring private rooms, each with their own toilet and bathing facilities. The “medical model” is being replaced with a more personalized environment with enhanced residential amenities. Peters and Associates’ has provided design services on other healthcare design projects including medical clinics, therapy rehab facilities, and wellness centers.
“Peters and Associates brings a new perspective with its experience in elder care to the EDAC program,” says Debra Levin, president and chief executive officer of The Center for Health Design. “Now that long-term care specialists are recognizing the need for EDAC, we’re hopeful that the program will reach its vision of seeing evidence-based design used in all healthcare environments.”
The Center for Health Design launched the EDAC exam in April 2009 after publishing a set of study guides to augment exam preparation. A second edition of study guides will be available in August 2010. EDAC’s mission is to develop a community of accredited industry individuals through education and assessment of an evidence-based design process. To date, more than 425 individuals among eight countries across the globe are now accredited. Peters and Associates is the twelfth advocate firm in addition to one educational partner, and six champion firms. For more information about the EDAC program, visit www.healthdesign.org/edac.
EDAC Study Guides are available to help individuals prepare for an exam, which then assesses their understanding of how to base healthcare design decisions on credible research evidence and project evaluation results.
About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD), formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. Its voluntary board of directors guides the work of paid staff that manages and directs the organization’s research, education, outreach and advocacy efforts. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org.
About Peters and Associates, Architects, P.C.
Peters and Associates, Architects, P.C. has continuous concentrated experience with a full range of projects within the eldercare environment. The firm’s completed works includes 80 individual projects in the eldercare field including skilled care, assisted living, independent living, Alzheimer’s care, and a host of related support projects. To learn more visit www.petersarchitects.com.
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