Corridor conversations, emergencies, codes and more mundane sounds from televisions and personal devices add to the clamor. Given these challenges, how can hospitals and other healthcare facilities effectively manage the noise?
Implementing noise-reduction strategies is the first step. Keep reading to explore different techniques that can help create a calmer, more focused environment in your hospital or healthcare facility.
The Impact of Noise in Hospitals
Studies show that exposure to excessive noise impedes patient recovery, especially when that noise interrupts sleep. While rest plays an essential role in healing for all patients, it’s particularly important for those in the intensive care unit (ICU), rehabilitation facilities or who have serious medical conditions.
Patients aren’t the only hospital cohort who are affected by excessive noise. Hospital employees are also subject to its ill effects, even though they may not realize how it impacts their work. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), loud noises can hinder communication, increase physiological stress and decrease productivity among caregivers. Nurses and clinicians may experience higher blood pressure and stress levels as a result of persistent alarms and unexpected alerts.
Identifying Sources of Noise in Hospitals
To effectively reduce noise levels in your hospital, start by pinpointing the primary sources of sound. Common contributors include:
- Daily activity: Noise from everyday operations, such as conversations, intercoms, paging systems, alarms, and foot traffic, can significantly impact the soundscape.
- Medical equipment: Devices such as ventilators, infusion pumps, and monitors are key contributors to the overall sound levels in hospitals.
- Patient activity: Patients and their visitors generate noise through conversations, movement, television usage, or electronic devices.
- Emergency Response and Transport: The arrival of ambulances, sirens, and — in larger hospitals — trauma helicopters can be highly disruptive if sound management solutions aren’t in place.
- Construction and upkeep: Hospitals often require upgrades or repairs, leading to noise from drilling, hammering, and mechanical equipment.
Benefits of Noise Reduction in Hospitals
The American College of Healthcare Architects advocates for designing and building healthcare facilities with robust noise management solutions. Implementing strategies that go beyond minimum code requirements is an investment in better patient outcomes, improved staff wellbeing, and an enhanced reputation for your facility.
Another compelling reason to prioritize sound-dampening measures? They support Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance by protecting patient confidentiality.
8 Ways Hospitals Can Reduce Unwanted Noise
How can hospitals create a quieter and more comfortable environment? These eight strategies and techniques provide a great starting point:
1. Enhance Acoustics
Experts recommend designing or remodeling hospitals to support efficient sound management. Use sound-absorbing materials, such as acoustic ceiling tiles, wall treatments, and flooring, as well as decorative acoustic panels to minimize ambient noise and improve privacy in patient areas
2. Install Noise-Monitoring Devices
By measuring decibel levels, hospitals can identify major noise sources and determine peak times. Place monitoring devices strategically in high-traffic areas like nurses’ stations, patient rooms, and waiting areas to collect actionable data.
3. Encourage Noise Awareness with Signage
Install signs reminding staff, patients, and visitors to maintain a calm and respectful environment. Digital signage can support this initiative by sharing helpful reminders and wayfinding information without adding to sound disturbances.
4. Manage Television Noise Effectively
TV’s in patient rooms and public areas are significant noise contributors. Incorporate sound masking solutions around TVs or adjust communal TVs to display calming streaming content, such as white noise, guided meditations, or soothing music, to create a more peaceful environment.
5. Design Phone Call Zones
Establish dedicated public mobile phone zones with high ceilings for noise diffusion. Implement a no-phone policy in other hospital areas to maintain quieter patient care spaces.
6. Implement Quiet Hours
Quiet hours help reduce ambient noise during nighttime hours, promoting better rest for patients. This practice also supports third-shift staff by fostering a calmer work environment.
7. Distribute Quiet Kits
Quiet kits typically include headphones, sleep masks and ear plugs and are intended to give patients a way to block out unwanted noises. These kits can help patients relax and feel more comfortable in their environment.
8. Establish a Hospital Noise Reduction Committee
Form a team to analyze noise data, gather feedback from patients and staff, and develop tailored noise management solutions. Encourage staff volunteers to join to ensure diverse perspectives and better implementation.
Reduce Noise in Your Hospital with DGI
Managing noise in hospitals is essential for improving patient outcomes and staff wellbeing. Partnering with a professional audiovisual integrator like DGI enables hospitals to design solutions that are tailored to your facility, including acoustic treatments, LED walls, and interactive communication tools to help you manage noise reduction and enhance your space.
Contact DGI today to discover specialized equipment and innovative strategies for creating a quieter, more acoustically comfortable hospital experience for both patients and staff.
