The Invisible Comforter in Healthcare - Acoustics.
Armstrong Ceiling Solutions (Australia & New Zealand)
Ceiling solutions help you transform spaces visually, acoustically, sustainably & to code - including Seismic!
Us regular people don’t appreciate health care professionals enough. Nor do we value the environment for which they care for our loved ones, until of course, we really do.
Recently I spent the best part of 3 x days in hospital, accompanying a family member who was in the care of some wonderful professionals. The hospital was relatively new (less than 10 years old) but felt comforting and relaxing from the minute we entered through the emergency doors.
Hospitals are harsh environments!
When you think about it, some serious work is done in these spaces, which takes a battering from all directions. There is urgency right across the building and the floors, walls, doors and lighting are design and built to withstand an amount of rigour.
Sitting in the emergency department, I realised how critical communication is. “What did he swallow?” “When did you start to experience blackouts?” “How long has she been doing this?” Then there are the conversations between health care professionals… “please administer 20ml of morphine.”
Having surfaces that can absorb the right amount of sound improves communication (think of your favourite noisy café) which is imperative in healthcare environments. Good acoustics allow and enhance effective communication. Good acoustics, also allows for better sleep and therefore better recovery.
We moved out of emergency and up in one of the wards. What a relief. However, there was a different urgency. Visitors, patients, machines, and seemingly more healthcare professionals moving about the place. We were able to escape and recover, in a quiet room with the noise blocked out. Almost every conversation in that environment needs to be confidential. That’s not something you consider, until you are in that space. Think about it.
Empowering architects, designers, builders & creatives craft spaces that sound incredible! Facilitating networking for business community with industry stakeholders. Winner Rotary Vocational Excellence Award.
4moGavin Wellington Very nostalgic indeed. My son was in the emergency ward for about two nights and the noise there was terrible. I measured and was surprised by the fact that I got a reading of 70 dB. Must add that I am married to a RN (Currently serving as a Dy Director of a hospital in Sydney) and I know first hand the hard work she puts in!
Principal Scientist at Armstrong World Industries
1yThere is also data that suggests quicker recovery for patients, and fewer health issues for the providers! Hope your family member is much improved Gavin! (Miss my friends down under!)
Major Project Development Manager
1yFirstly, I hope your family member recovered safely, Gavin! You make a great point. The value and importance of a good acoustic design is underrated in hospitals, unfortunately. It can really help recovery but hinder it as well if not taken into consideration.
Marketing Manager at Armstrong Ceiling Solutions
1yI have a family member who is a Registered Nurse in a Sydney hospital and I have a real appreciation of how hard they work in such a dynamic and sometimes chaotic, stressful environment. Unwanted noise makes their work life that much harder. Good acoustic design can assist healthcare professionals making their work space quieter, less reverberant, less stressful and more private, as they discuss deeply personal matters with patients.
Category Management | Sales & Marketing | Product Management | Product Development
1yCouldn't agree more - good work, Gavin. 👍