TRANE HEALTHCARE

NOVEMBER 2009

Best Practices for Improving Your Physical Environment

Hospitals that follow certain best practices for healthy, comfortable and cost-effective healing environments can also simultaneously impact their organization's mission, patient satisfaction, and financial results.

How do you determine if physical environment improvement opportunities exist at your hospital?

  • Conduct a comprehensive physical environment study with an outside business partner
  • Consider not only energy and infrastructure, but also the environment's impact on patients, staff and physicians
  • Ensure your business partner is proficient in systems as it relates to your building size and specialties
  • Engage a business partner that has a successful track record improving the hospital environment and can apply solutions to address mission and operating targets

Download 'Environment and Patient Outcomes' Article

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Did You Know?

  • Up to 1/3 of HAIs can be airborne (Kowalksi, 2007).
  • 2007 Press Ganey study says being too hot or too cold is a top factor in patient dissatisfaction.
  • The WHO and EPA recommends 35 decibels in patient care settings at night and 45 during the day, yet the observed national average is closer to 60-70, the equivalent of a car stereo.
  • In a Finnish study, 80% of patients reporting poor sleep regarded environmental factors as the cause.
  • Daylight and improved air quality improved employee health and productivity, one project yielded 2-16% improvement in worker productivity (USGBC).
  • Growing research says Green/LEED facilities have improved public relations, philanthropy, staff recruitment & retention, and improved staff productivity (Dell Childrens 2009)
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Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand - the world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and energy efficient environments - improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings.

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