Staff member involvement helps reduce hospital noise

AORN Journal, August, 2005

Hospital noise, which can adversely affect patients by interfering with their sleep, can be reduced by identifying noise sources and modifying equipment and procedures, according to an article in the June 2005 issue of Environment of Care News. Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn, began identifying and reducing sources of hospital noise five years ago, initially focusing on disruptive noises that occurred at night.

Educating staff members about noise sources proved to be one of the best ways to reduce noise, and collaborating with other departments was essential for reducing noise. Some of the sources of disruptive noise identified by Saint Marys Hospital and the solutions implemented include the following.

* Bedside monitors--In-room volume control was activated on bedside monitors so nursing staff members could make adjustments when needed.

* Hospital carts--Modifications were made to carts and a preventative maintenance schedule was established for carts.

* Pneumatic tube delivery canisters--Foam padding was installed in the areas where canisters arrived to muffle the sound.

* Chart holders outside patient rooms--Foam padding was installed on cart holders to decrease noise.

* Paper towel dispensers--Manual-roll paper towel dispensers were replaced with quieter, flat-paper dispensers.

"Enhance the healing environment by reducing noise," Environment of Care News 8 (June 2005) 10-11.