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Publication Date: 2007

The Center for Health Design CHER (Coalition for Health Environments Research) Paper

The Effect of Environmental Design on Reducing Nursing and Medication Errors in Acute Care Settings - November 2007

A comprehensive review of the empirical literature followed up with interviews with nurses at seven hospitals. The study concludes with specific recommendations about environmental interventions that can support the reduction of errors in the nursing unit.

The Center for Health Design CHER (Coalition for Health Environments Research) Paper

Limiting the Spread of Infection in the Health Care Environments- April 2007

A study of 14 common building materials and finishes in the healthcare environment. Inoculation of common harmful organisms is followed by rigorous testing in the laboratory to determine the ability of each material to sustain and propagate these organisms.

Issue Paper #4

Sound Control for Improved Outcomes in Healthcare Settings - January 2007

This paper examines how different aspects of sound—noise, speech privacy, speech intelligibility, and music—impact patient and staff outcomes in healthcare settings and the specific environmental design strategies that can be used to improve the acoustical environment of healthcare settings.