Since its founding in 1998, the Facilities Guidelines Institute has been developing, revising, and publishing guidelines for the construction and renovation of hospitals and outpatient facilities. In 2010, it came out with guidelines that specifically addressed noise and vibration. Last year, it published guidelines for residential healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living centers.
FGI’s guidelines have a way of insinuating themselves into state healthcare facility codes. Its call, in 2006, for single-bed patient rooms to be an “absolute” for medical, surgical, and obstetric rooms has become the standard for new hospital construction. Forty-two states have adopted FGI guidelines, in part or in full, says FGI’s CEO Douglas Erickson, FASHE, CHFM, HFDP, CHC.
The healthcare industry has largely embraced FGI guidelines. “Hospitals are pressing the AEC community to at least advise the owner about the latest guidelines, and then let the owner decide if it wants to take the leap,” says Erickson.
FGI gets about a thousand suggestions for new guidelines or revisions from the public every year, says the institute’s Chairman and President, Kurt Rockstroh, FAIA, FACHA, President/CEO, Steffian Bradley Architects & Planners. Those ideas are vetted by steering and revision committees; if accepted, they are turned into draft documents and submitted for public comment. A cost-benefits committee serves as another filter. Eventually all of FGI’s committee members vote on whether a proposal becomes a guideline. Each four-year revision cycle costs FGI about $2 million.
The 2014 revised guidelines touch on six factors that affect a hospital’s soundscape:
1. Site exterior noise
2. Acoustic finishes and details
3. Room noise levels and minimum sound coefficients for various types of rooms
4. Sound isolation and speech privacy
5. Alarms and sound-masking techniques
6. Vibration
Because FGI does not include suppliers or manufacturers on its committee, its revision cycle is not ANSI-approved, although it does follow ANSI protocols as much as possible, says Erickson. The 2018 revisions, which will be voted on by 105 committee members, are likely to include guidelines about alarm fatigue in hospitals.
Related Stories
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 15, 2019
Hospitals are moving into their communities
Below are five strategies to improve access and patient experience.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 9, 2019
Tampere psychiatric clinic features a modern, locally rooted ambiance for patients and staff
C.F. Møller Architects is designing the project.
Healthcare Facilities | Jul 2, 2019
Veterans' mental health needs are central to Seattle VA's design
Called the Seattle Veterans Affairs Mental Health and Research Building, the structure is meant to enhance patient care.
Healthcare Facilities | May 24, 2019
Beyond the corner store: Where retail health is headed
New players are redefining what retail health might look like by embracing technologies including mobile apps, telehealth, and artificial intelligence.
Healthcare Facilities | May 16, 2019
ASU Health Futures Center combines a novel design and approach to learning
The trapezoidal shape of the building is an eco-friendly feature.
Healthcare Facilities | May 9, 2019
Construction of new children’s hospital addition in NW Florida had to weather several storms
Patient and staff care were primary concerns during this 25-month project, says its GC.
Healthcare Facilities | May 3, 2019
The healthcare sector is turning to drones to supplement medical services
Leo A Daly’s Miami studio envisions a drone-powered hospital that enhances resilience to natural disasters.
| Apr 26, 2019
Greenwich Hospital upgrades boilers to improve operational efficiency
Greenwich Hospital, in Greenwich, Conn., chooses new Miura boilers.
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 15, 2019
It’s official: China opens first green hospital, designed by HMC Architects
Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University is the official pilot green hospital for development of China’s green guide for hospital design.
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 12, 2019
New health pavilion completes on the Health Education Campus at Case Western Reserve University
Foster + Partners designed the facility.