Noisy and restless: 24 h in an NHS community hospital ward, a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the patient environment. (15th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sawyer, L.K.; Kemp, S.; James, P.A.B.; Harper, M.
• Is Part Of: Building and environment. Volume 175(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-15
• Subjects: Hospital -- Indoor environment -- Noise -- Patients -- Nursing staff; Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Building -- Research -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Technique de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106795
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1323

Abstract

Abstract: This case study assesses a hospital patient bay environment in terms of the potential for nurse led interventions to improve the patient experience and possible outcomes. The paper demonstrates where nurses have potential to enhance the environment and where patients contribute most to disruption. A section of an older persons acute-care ward (a patient bay) in an NHS community hospital in the South of England was evaluated by comparing quantitative environmental data (lighting, sound, air temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide and patient bed movements) with qualitative observed events, such as patient examinations noted over a 24-h period. Inferential tests showed a relationship between the movement of patients in their beds and noise levels in the patient bay (a) above 68 dB during the day, (b) above 60 dB at night and (c) above 85 dB across the 24-h period. Staff accounted for 10% of the observed noise events that exceeded 68 dB during the day and 24% of the observed noise events that exceeded 60 dB at night. There was an observed correlation between observed noise events created by staff and the movement of the patients in their beds (a) 49% during the day and (b) 46% during the night, suggesting there is scope for the nursing staff to reduce noise in the patient bay areas and increase patient periods of rest. The introduction of "quiet-time" rest periods during the day and a general reduction of noise in the patient bay during the night is therefore recommended to enhance patient wellbeing. Highlights: Movement of patients in beds correlates with noise levels above 60 dB at night. Movement of patients in beds correlates with noise levels above 68 dB during the day. Staff accounted for 10% of observed noise events that exceeded 68 dB during the day. Staff accounted for 24% of the observed noise events that exceeded 60 dB at night. Recommend introduction of daytime quiet rest periods to enhance patient wellbeing.