Faculty Sponsor(s)
Ericka Waidley
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Nursing
Description
Florence Nightingale said, “Unnecessary noise is the cruelest absence of care.” During inpatient hospitalizations, frequent awakenings and a high level of ambient noise prevent restful sleep in many patients. Awakenings are inevitable for the health and safety of patients; however, many hospitals have improved patient sleep quality by implementing 2-3 hour periods devoted to patient rest. These periods, called “quiet hours,” are a specified time during which noise levels are restricted and non-urgent interruptions are prohibited. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of “quiet hours” on a med-surg floor.
During a four-week period, patients hospitalized for at least one night on the med-surg floor of a local hospital were surveyed regarding their sleep quality. These results, coupled with research on the benefits of sleep, were presented to the nurse manager of the floor. Using these results, as well as the results of the hospital’s most recent HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems), the utility of “quiet hours” could be weighed against the challenges.
Recommended Citation
Cole, Marissa; Perez Palestino, Yazmin; Mooney, Hailey; and Elder, Travis, "The Benefits of Sleep During Hospitalization: A Survey to Determine the Utility of Quiet Hours on a Med-Surg Floor" (2017). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 15.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2017/all/15
The Benefits of Sleep During Hospitalization: A Survey to Determine the Utility of Quiet Hours on a Med-Surg Floor
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Florence Nightingale said, “Unnecessary noise is the cruelest absence of care.” During inpatient hospitalizations, frequent awakenings and a high level of ambient noise prevent restful sleep in many patients. Awakenings are inevitable for the health and safety of patients; however, many hospitals have improved patient sleep quality by implementing 2-3 hour periods devoted to patient rest. These periods, called “quiet hours,” are a specified time during which noise levels are restricted and non-urgent interruptions are prohibited. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of “quiet hours” on a med-surg floor.
During a four-week period, patients hospitalized for at least one night on the med-surg floor of a local hospital were surveyed regarding their sleep quality. These results, coupled with research on the benefits of sleep, were presented to the nurse manager of the floor. Using these results, as well as the results of the hospital’s most recent HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems), the utility of “quiet hours” could be weighed against the challenges.
