Research links a quiet hospital to improved patient healing, medical error reduction and medical staff satisfaction. Through exploration of the evidence, this session addresses acoustical challenges and solutions in acute care hospitals today. High noise levels in hospitals, the major contributing factors and the effects on healing, patient safety, patient satisfaction and staff well being are also identified. In addition, proposed solutions by proper specification and implementation of materials are discussed. This session enables attendees to:
•Describe the effects of the auditory environment on the healing process.
•Discuss concepts for improving speech privacy in existing and new hospitals.
•Identify the main areas where noise has been linked to medical errors.