CONCORD, CA (November 11, 2009)— The Center for Health Design (CHD) , a nonprofit research, education and advocacy organization announces that Wellness Environments of Nashville, TN has joined the list of Advocate Firms for the Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC) program as an Advocate Firm. Advocate Firms are dedicated to using an evidence-based design process in healthcare facilities and commit to putting 25% of their team through the accreditation process.

EDAC was developed to educate and assess individuals on their understanding of how to base healthcare design decisions on credible research evidence and project evaluation results. “We are so pleased that firms like Wellness Environments are demonstrating their commitment to integrating an evidence-based design process into their practices,” says Debra Levin, President and CEO of CHD, “Their efforts to educate their clients about the benefits of design research will result in higher performing buildings that help improve the quality of healthcare overall.”

Wellness Environments is a leader in the healthcare industry known for their expertise in applying evidence-based design techniques into the turnkey patient rooms they design and build. Facilities that incorporate the products, services and patient room design offered by Wellness Environments are focused on Patient-Centered Care, experiencing a multitude of benefits including enhanced clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, increases in the bottom line through operational advantages, and notable strength in market share. Their unique patient room package can be leased or purchased and is suitable for new construction or renovation.

Wellness is also a new Corporate Affiliate of CHD, showing their full-fledged commitment to improving healthcare design. “The mission of The Center for Health Design exemplifies everything that we at Wellness embody,” says Frank Jarman, CEO of Wellness Environments. “Supporting the calling to create safer, better healing environments by advocating evidence-based design through the EDAC program will help spread the message that design really does have a positive impact on the healing process. After all, healing takes place in the patient room, not in the lobby.” By getting EDAC accredited, Wellness Environments will demonstrate that they understand the importance of evidence-based design.

CHD has been working to improve quality of care, positive outcomes, patient satisfaction and the bottom line in healthcare facilities for over 20 years focusing on the use of evidence-based design. In 2005, CHD began development of the EDAC program with a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Phase I of the program, which focuses on building the accreditation program for healthcare and design professionals, has been supported by a volunteer team of more than 100 individuals with representation across industries including architects, hospital executives, strategic planners, clinicians, researchers and interior designers. Part of the vision for the EDAC program includes a Phase 2 which will focus on developing certification for building projects.

A set of three study guides were published in early 2009 to aid applicants in preparing for the exam. They chronicle the evolution of the practice, trends affecting healthcare delivery systems, research methodologies and practical applications. Study Guide 1 is available at no charge and can be ordered from the EDAC website as a printed copy or pdf download. Study Guides 2 and 3 are available for purchase from the website in printed form. The EDAC examination consists of 110 multiple-choice questions.
Candidates have two hours to complete the exam. The examination covers five sections: evidence-based design for healthcare; research; pre-design; design; and construction and occupancy. To obtain copies of the Study Guides details on testing sites and exam dates, visit www.healthdesign.org/edac.

About The Center for Health Design
The Center for Health Design (CHD), formed in 1993, is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization of forward-thinking healthcare, elder care, design and construction professionals and product manufacturers who are leading the quest to improve the quality of healthcare facilities and create new environments for healthy aging. Its voluntary board of directors guides the work of paid staff that manages and directs the organization’s research, education, outreach and advocacy efforts. For more information, visit www.healthdesign.org

About Wellness Environments:
Wellness Environments, located in Nashville TN, provides design expertise for patient rooms incorporating evidence- based design. They have developed a turnkey patient room that maximizes patient safety and satisfaction while increasing staff, operating and construction efficiency. Wellness Environments has over 500 installations worldwide, including Patient Rooms for Acute Care, Cardiac Units, Emergency Departments, LDRP’s, as well as Operating Theaters and other Clinical Spaces. To learn more, visit www.wellnessenvironments.net