A new training course on healthcare acoustics, now available from CertainTeed Ceilings, provides architects and designers the latest science on how sound affects the healing process and outlines strategies for optimizing indoor environments for the best patient outcomes.
The free course, “Acoustic Ceilings in the Healthcare Segment,” explains how evidence-based design is driving healthcare facility construction, the role of sound attenuation in protecting patient privacy, and LEED for Healthcare as it relates to ceilings and acoustics. The course also describes facility institute guidelines for ceilings in healthcare environments.
According to a National Health Service survey of hospital patients, 40 percent noted noise was a major annoyance during their stay—rating as the most significant stressor over cleanliness, quality of food, privacy and amount of staff. Furthermore, poor acoustics can affect patient healing. In one Swedish study outlined in the course, readmission rates for cardiac patients were more than double when they had spent time in a sound reflective room versus a room with a sound-absorbent ceiling.
“Unwanted noise can be very costly for healthcare facilities, as it can lead to high readmission rates, high stress among staff, and medical errors,” said Robert Marshall, manager, marketing technical services for CertainTeed Ceilings. “This course is designed to help today's building professionals understand the relationship between the physical structure and patient outcomes and come away with evidenced-based strategies for building better healing environments.”
“Acoustic Ceilings in the Healthcare Segment” is registered with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System, as well as the Construction Specifications Institute Construction Education Network. It has also been approved by the U.S. Green Building Council LEED professional credentialing program.
To schedule a CEU course presentation with a CertainTeed Ceilings architectural sales manager, call (800) 233-8990.
CertainTeed offers more than 35 free courses for professionals that can be used to meet all standards of national and local continuing education learning units. For more information, visit www.certainteed.com/continuinged.
