High noise levels can slow healing or increase illness in hospitals and medical environments.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that patient room noise levels should be around 30 decibels, with a maximum noise level of no more than 40 decibels. Yet according to a recent study, the average sound level in a hospital is 48 decibels.
Medical facilities are inevitably subject to noise pollution from medical equipment, trolleys, vehicles, or staff and other patients. Research shows an increase in problems caused by excess noise, including high blood pressure and heart rate, staff errors, and a lack of speech privacy in professional rooms.
In a residential or hospital setting, excess noise causes lost sleep, impeding patients' ability to heal and increasing requests for medication.
By contrast, studies show that a pleasant sound environment significantly increases a medical facilities' overall quality of care. This brings benefits such as lower blood pressure, improved quality of sleep, a reduction in the intake of pain medication, better communication, lower stress levels, and increased patient safety and staff wellbeing.
Avenue Interior Systems offers a range of acoustic solutions that can achieve a comfortable and healthy acoustic environment in medical applications. We understand the value of a well-designed healthcare facility, and our high-performing and aesthetic products combine functionality, sustainability and decor.
Health service providers have a general ethical and legal duty to protect the privacy of their patient’s personal information, including their medical records. Inadequate noise control can adversely affect patient privacy.
A sad trend in Australia’s ageing population is the rising incidence of cognitive impairment among the elderly. In fact, more than 50% of assisted living and nursing home residents have some form of dementia. Avenue’s acoustic solutions can help to reduce anxiety in people suffering from cognitive impairment.
Today there are many for-purpose organisations that support people with an intellectual disability or mental illnesses. Custom-made acoustic solutions are critical for these organisations’ facilities.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends an average sound level of 30 dBA in general hospital areas. Yet reports show the average noise level in the ICU is up to 65-83 decibels (dB). This noise can contribute to poor health outcomes for patients.
Good acoustics in the medical industry are crucial. Part of the trust between the care team and the patient involves an assurance that conversations held in a consultation room are private.
