Ecore, a company that transforms reclaimed waste into unique performance surfacing, announced its participation in a collaborative research project focused on “Patient Safety and Reducing the Risk of Injury from Falls” at the recent 2016 Healthcare Design Expo & Conference (HCD) in Houston.

The study addresses how the built environment can reduce pain and suffering while eliminating costs associated with injuries. The ongoing research is a part of a Pebble Project conducted in conjunction with Johns Hopkins Health (JHH) System and The Center for Health Design.

“To date, the topic of patient falls has garnered the attention of the healthcare community at large and for the first time, flooring is being considered as a possible solution to a problem that continues to impact patients, staff and providers,” Mark Huxta, director of healthcare sales for Ecore, said at the HCD Conference. “The research, with anticipated completion at the end of 2017, is a collaborative effort featuring a number of prominent, world-class healthcare providers.”

At HCD, Teri Bennett, RN CID CHID IIDA NIHD EDAC & lead interior designer in the architecture & planning department at JHH, reviewed the internal testing JHH conducted prior to the Pebble Project and discussed how this resulted in JHH’s participation in the research initiative. The Pebble Project is part of The Center for Health Design, which uses an evidence-based design process in healthcare capital projects, resulting in research focused on quality of care, patient safety, staff safety and environmental safety.

Ecore, JHH and The Center for Health Design first began research for this Pebble Project in 2014 with flooring exploration and testing at JHH in Baltimore. In 2015, additional testing sites were added, including Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.; Hardin Memorial Hospital in Elizabethtown, Ky.; and Garden Spot Village Retirement Community in New Holland, Pa. The research at these testing sites to date has shown flooring may reduce the severity of fall injuries. Testing will continue at other locations through 2017 when this Pebble Project will conclude.

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