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High quality acoustics are a key factor for improving hospital and healthcare facilities, leading to improved service and patient experience. Acoustics-based facility improvements also result in a better financial bottom line.The acoustics of healthcare facilities begins with noise issues. The noise issues to be addressed include quieting equipment such as the building HVAC systems, power plants and MRI units. These facility components must be part of a quiet environment for patients, workers and neighbors.
After solving the noise problems, the next task is to improve the quality of the sonic environment. This includes protecting the speech privacy of patients in admitting areas to comply with HIPPA rules. Speech intelligibility for clear and precise communication of patient care objectives must be enhanced in many facility areas, such as the ER, OR, post-op, nurse stations and patient rooms.
For many facility operators the patient experience is paramount, reflecting recent HCAHPS rules. One HCAHPS exit survey questions is, “Was the area around your room quiet at night?” Depending on their HCAHPS scores, the provider can earn a reward, or be assessed a penalty, on their total Medicare reimbursements. That directly affects a facility’s financial performance.
The acoustical quality of a facility is a vital part of the total facility improvement plan. A good start is to conduct an audit to assess the existing acoustical conditions in a facility. Then, include acoustical design upgrades in the short and long term facility maintenance and capital improvement plans. The results will be rewarding.
