{"id":2938,"date":"2015-02-11T12:44:55","date_gmt":"2015-02-11T17:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/52.229.122.34\/en\/?p=2938"},"modified":"2021-02-17T12:52:39","modified_gmt":"2021-02-17T17:52:39","slug":"quiet-healing-soundear-heightens-staff-awareness-about-noise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ottawahospital.on.ca\/en\/uncategorized\/quiet-healing-soundear-heightens-staff-awareness-about-noise\/","title":{"rendered":"Quiet healing: SoundEar heightens staff awareness about noise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anji Bhattacharyya, Clinical Manager of 5East, said the SoundEar helps staff to be aware of noise levels from the patients\u2019 perspective.<\/em><\/p>\n

Whether you have a cold, an injury or a serious illness, there is one piece of advice that always applies: if you want to get better, you need to rest.<\/p>\n

Research shows that a quiet, restful environment at night improves patient experience, speeds healing, promotes recovery and reduces pain. But a busy hospital can be as loud at night as it is during the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can just imagine: you\u2019re drifting off to sleep and there\u2019s an announcement blaring, the rattle of equipment, chatter in the hall,\u201d said Anji Bhattacharyya, Clinical Manager of 5East at The Ottawa Hospital. \u201cOn busy nights, for patients it can feel and sound like the middle of the day. We need to see it from their perspective and be aware.\u201d<\/p>\n

5East took part in a pilot project last year to provide a visual reminder of noise levels. A \u201cSoundEar\u201d mounted in the hallway shows green lights when noise levels are low, and yellow and red as they increase.<\/p>\n

Although the ear doesn\u2019t record noise or conversations, it tracks how noise levels rise and fall throughout the night.<\/p>\n

\"ear-graphic\"<\/p>\n

The SoundEar is a visual reminder of noise levels on units.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The ear took some getting used to, said Bhattacharyya, but it sparked a heightened awareness of noise levels among unit staff members.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe talked about it at staff meetings. Change is always hard, but our staff wants to provide the best care.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the past year, the hospital has made progress in eliminating unnecessary announcements and identifying trouble spots. There\u2019s still work to be done, but Bhattacharyya said that patients are giving her positive feedback.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn this unit, it\u2019s not unusual that patients come to us several times. I ask about noise when we round on patients. They\u2019ve mentioned that it was quieter, that they got more sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n

How can you promote quiet at night for your patients?<\/strong><\/p>\n