1. Excerpts From Conference Presentations Presented by David Sykes, Co-chair at: Internoise 2009 (Ottawa 8.24.09) Healthcare Symposium (Chicago 9.30.09) Healthcare Design (Orlando 11.2.09)

2. Next Steps For This Committee Facilitate research & testing (new online community Jan 2010) Share best practices across professions (via seminars & conferences) Encourage understanding by govt agencies, AHJs & HCOs Publish handbooks for public outreach & teaching Organize more funding for, encourage, and track research Advise manufacturers of materials & equipment Refine acoustical criteria via research for next Guidelines (2014) Continue to urge harmonization with other orgs & countries (e.g., WHO, UIA-PHG)

3. New Research Community Online Numerous research teams are working in the US & abroad at leading institutions, without coordination, cross-communication or public access This needs to change as new guidelines become mandatory Following the Paris symposium & ICBEN (July 08) the committee began organizing an open, online community to track research teams working on acoustics in healthcare facilities Emphasis needs to be on credible, transdisciplinary research See: www.healthcareacoustics.orgwww.healthcareacoustics.org launching in January 2010

4. About The New Online Community www.healthcareacoustics.org/research Mission: Encourage transdisciplinary, clinical research on healthcare acoustics by enabling direct dialog & networking between foundations, agencies, AHJs, research institutions, HCOs, clinicians, research teams, professional & industry groups, and businesses (launching January 2010)

5. Features Of The New Online Community Open, global database of recent research Searchable directory of active research teams & institutions Links to interested public & private orgs Announcement of grants & RFPs Forums, symposia & webinars on healthcare acoustics Report publishing Blogs & breaking news

6. 10 Current Research Topics of Interest To HCOs & Funding Groups Acoustical materials, clean-ability & infection control (including re-purposed, new-to-market & novel materials) Practical research/test methods (ex: simulation labs, soundscapes) Formal definition of & criteria for acoustical comfort Impact of noise on patients & staff (OR, ER, NICUs, fMRI, etc.) HIPAA/speech privacy (spectra, levels, directional sound, ANC) Measurement & certification methods & protocols Mitigation (balancing materials vs technologies (directional sound, ANC, wireless signaling, remote alarms, etc.) Alarm codes & standards (i.e., priority, efficacy, etc.) Design & construction methods – impacts on noise & privacy Sound & healing (e.g., natural sounds, pain mgmt via sound)

7. 7 Reminder: The New Guideline* Is Also The Reference Standard For Two New EQ Credits In GGHC & LEED HC Two EQ credits available for acoustics in: –The LEED-based Green Guide for Healthcare V2.2 (1.31.07), –the new LEED for Healthcare (due out late 2009) FGIs Interim Sound and Vibration Guideline is the sole reference standard for these credits Download (read only) from: www.gghc.orgwww.gghc.org Download copy from: www.healthcareacoustics.orgwww.healthcareacoustics.org *to be published mid-January 2010

8. Reminder: Why Noise Is An Important Issue Now In 1981, White House de-funded U.S. law Noise Control Act of 1972- EPA closed Office of Noise Abatement and Control Its still a law, but noise issues were pushed off the table 30 years of neglect yielded 6% per year growth in noise in healthcare facilities (now >2 times noisier!) Urgent issue now: pandemonium & an epidemic of noise Drive to fix acoustical problems in HCOs began with HIPAA, patient-centered care, & consumer-led healthcare movements Due to 9/11/01 attacks, national security eclipsed privacy issue Recent LEED recognition that Environmental Quality (EQ) should include noise, vibration & sound--in healthcare & educ. first New HIPAA penalties ($1.5M) in ARRA-HITECH ACT

9. Some US Organizations That Support Research On Noise & Privacy AAH Foundation ASHRAE Center for the Built Environment Center for Health Design/CHER DoD, DARPA, ONR Facility Guidelines Institute National Academy of Engineering National Institutes of Health Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and others