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Sunday, June 28, 2009
Hall A (San Diego Convention Center)
Quiet Zone: Implementation of a Noise Reduction Program
Noise can have damaging physiologic and psychological effects on hospitalized patients. Excessive noise slows healing, increases the likelihood of medical errors and is a common patient complaint
Our Gyn/Oncology unit is compact with patient rooms on each side of the hall and a central open nurse’s station. Patient satisfaction scores for noise level were in the second percentile, an all time low. The overall score averaged in the 65 percentile.
The Chief Nursing Officer approached unit leadership to discuss strategies to improve scores. Leadership brought the concern to the shared governance council. The council developed a plan to address noise reduction. Noise patrol champions were identified. A traffic light shaped sound meter was purchased and installed in the nurse’s station. A Quiet Zone Poster was developed and placed at the entrance of the unit. Quiet Zone fliers were placed in the unit bathroom and lounge. Staff was educated at staff meetings and physicians were notified individually of the project.
The poster and meter created a heightened awareness of unit behavior in relation to noise. Patients, families, and visitors engaged in conversations with staff regarding noise and healing. Patients knew staff and physicians were actively trying to reduce noise levels. Patient satisfaction scores for noise are now in the 65th percentile and rising. Overall satisfaction scores are in the 90th percentile.
The implementation process had some initial roadblocks. Staff and physicians were cynical that a piece of equipment could change behavior. Staff disconnected the meter and intentionally made the meter go off.
Staff and physicians are holding each other accountable for the noise level. The noise reduction program was identified as best practice and other units in the hospital have implemented this program. This increased awareness has staff looking for other interventions that would further reduce the noise level. We have created a culture of noise awareness.
Noise can have damaging physiologic and psychological effects on hospitalized patients. Excessive noise slows healing, increases the likelihood of medical errors and is a common patient complaint
Our Gyn/Oncology unit is compact with patient rooms on each side of the hall and a central open nurse’s station. Patient satisfaction scores for noise level were in the second percentile, an all time low. The overall score averaged in the 65 percentile.
The Chief Nursing Officer approached unit leadership to discuss strategies to improve scores. Leadership brought the concern to the shared governance council. The council developed a plan to address noise reduction. Noise patrol champions were identified. A traffic light shaped sound meter was purchased and installed in the nurse’s station. A Quiet Zone Poster was developed and placed at the entrance of the unit. Quiet Zone fliers were placed in the unit bathroom and lounge. Staff was educated at staff meetings and physicians were notified individually of the project.
The poster and meter created a heightened awareness of unit behavior in relation to noise. Patients, families, and visitors engaged in conversations with staff regarding noise and healing. Patients knew staff and physicians were actively trying to reduce noise levels. Patient satisfaction scores for noise are now in the 65th percentile and rising. Overall satisfaction scores are in the 90th percentile.
The implementation process had some initial roadblocks. Staff and physicians were cynical that a piece of equipment could change behavior. Staff disconnected the meter and intentionally made the meter go off.
Staff and physicians are holding each other accountable for the noise level. The noise reduction program was identified as best practice and other units in the hospital have implemented this program. This increased awareness has staff looking for other interventions that would further reduce the noise level. We have created a culture of noise awareness.
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