EDAC

Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification

EDAC History

The Center for Health Design (CHD) has been working to improve medical facilities through design interventions for almost twenty years.  More recently, The Center's focus has been on the creative use of evidence-based design (EBD), which incorporates research into each step of the design process.  As awareness of EBD has grown, more and more people have sought to build hospitals with the guidance of EBD practitioners, but there is no standard definition of EBD nor is there a clear way in which to determine whether or not an individual truly practices evidence-based design. 

Starting in 2005, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Center for Health Design has embarked on an initiative to establish standards for evidence-based design.  This program, the Evidence-Based Design Assessment and Certification (EDAC), will create standards for both the facilities and for practitioners and individuals involved with the design process.

From its inception, CHD has approached this project with a multi-disciplinary effort.  Beginning with an EDAC workshop at HEALTHCARE DESIGN 05, a volunteer-based team from across industries has been assembled; architects, hospital executives, strategic planners, clinicians, researchers, and interior designers.  More than one hundred dedicated individuals have given their time to support this project.  Please see our complete list of volunteers download industry volunteer list.

For the last few years, our efforts have been focused on creating a standardized assessment process for individuals.  The EDAC exam to accredit professionals comprehensively assesses one's ability to implement an EBD process into a new building project or redesign.  The exam will be further supported with educational materials to support candidates in their efforts to be successful on the exam.

Over the next few years, we will initiate the EDAC building certification program.  This effort will again be lead my multidisciplinary team as well as an EDAC Advisory Counsel.  The building certification program will evaluate facilities and determine the level of evidence-based design incorporation.