Things That Go Bump in the Night

Those of us in the facilities piece of the total equation often find ourselves working daily to stem the tide of decay in our buildings, systems and processes. All facilities have a life cycle. It is great to bring a new facility on-line, yet we still have to maintain our existing facilities to a high standard. Staff needs a place that enhances their care efforts, not one that is a hindrance which requires an adaptation or workaround to achieve best practices. The patients need a place of healing in order to quicken their return to a sense of wellness.

 

Facilities are not only the structures and spaces within them. Facilities are also the systems and processes which serve the medicine being provided. Structures are long term things, systems medium term, and processes can change over the short term. Perhaps the most positive impact on outcomes can be made with the short term processes. So, improvements in facility processes can provide the greatest and fastest return on effort and investment.

 

An important part of the healthcare environment is the sonic climate, or how your facility sounds. Has anyone noticed? Of course they have. But it is a smaller matter compared to the pressing needs at hand. Still, the acoustics in the facility can have a subtle and deep influence on outcomes.

 

What are “things that go bump in the night” at your facility? Hopefully not the structure. It is more likely to be a system, such as a pump or air handler. It is even more likely to be a process, such as a door slam, rolling cart or electronic device. These are things that may be easily modified for an improved acoustic environment. Why is that important? Research has shown that impulsive “bump” sounds can cause more awakenings than steady drone sounds. Since rest and sleep are key components of the healing process, the less the patient is disturbed by impulsive bumps, the greater the potential for healing. This will result in better patient outcomes, higher survey scores and improved financial performance for the provider.

 

So, some innovative but simple design changes to processes can provide measureable improvements, which can be directly credited to the facility. An example of this “low hanging fruit” would be to replace the food delivery and laundry carts with carts that have big, soft wheels, that do not clang, bang and wobble on the hard floor. Less “bumps”, fewer awakenings and better outcomes. Another simple change is to regularly maintain door closers and jambs to be resilient and quiet.

 

These small, but important, changes can yield big results. Such improvements can and should be part of a facility maintenance plan, not a capital item. Solving these small problems can create an awareness of the quality of sound in the facility. That awareness will provide a framework for solving and preventing larger, more capital intensive issues, such as with mechanical systems. A culture of keeping an eye on the small problems makes the solving bigger problems easier.

 

So, 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 acoustical quality of a facility is a vital part of the total facility improvement plan. A good place to start is to conduct an audit to assess the existing acoustical conditions in a facility. Then, include acoustical design and equipment upgrades in the short and long term facility maintenance and capital improvement plans. The results can be very rewarding.