Research indicates that noise reduction in the hospital setting can drastically improve the overall patient experience and help in the healing process. According to the Chicago Tribune, noise has become one of the top patient complaints in the hospital, even surpassing hospital food. Improving this aspect of the patient experience falls under the hospital environment HCAHPS domain, along with cleanliness.

 

In the hospital there are noises patients can be sensitive to that are not apparent to everyone or that may become less obvious to staff who grow accustomed to hearing them. These can include noises from roommates, slammed doors, overhead pages, loud talking, equipment and even external noises like construction, traffic and ambulance sirens. These noises can collectively hinder a patient’s ability to heal by raising stress levels and creating anxiety and tension during the critical healing process.

 

Initial steps for reducing noise in the hallways and on nursing units at Memorial include changing the wheels on carts used to transport items throughout the hospital and replacing ceiling tile on 4 South with a more absorbent variety. More improvements are on the horizon as well as posters in patient care areas.

 

“Both patients and staff members will benefit from an effort in reducing noise in our hospital,” said Mimi Leuchtefeld, RN, patient care coordinator. “We hope to create an even calmer, more nurturing and healing environment through this initiative.”