Hospital initiates ‘Quiet Time’ policy to improve patients’ rest
Twin Cities Community Hospital works to reduce noise, boost patient recuperation with official two-hour rest period
Twin Cities Community Hospital has announced a new, hospital-wide “Quiet Time” policy stating that hospital staff will take certain measures to reduce noise and other sleep disturbances during the official rest period, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., daily. Twin Cities initiated the policy in an effort to create an environment more conducive to patients’ sleep and rest, which are key factors in recovery.
During the new Quiet Time period, the hospital dims its hallway lights, places staff phones and pagers on vibrate, offers patients ear plugs or headphones for music, and keeps staff conversations low. Twin Cities makes a daily announcement of Quiet Time throughout the hospital at 1:50 p.m., requesting the assistance of guests and visitors in maintaining a peaceful environment, and the staff also works to anticipate patient needs prior to Quiet Time to avoid interrupting resting patients.
“Research has shown that rest and sleep are essential ingredients to recovery from illnesses and injuries,” says Twin Cities CEO Mark Lisa. “Yet, with alarms, door latches, noisy carts, intercom announcements, practice drills and everything else that is part of the normal working day in a hospital, we felt our patients just weren’t getting enough quiet time to ensure the best possible environment for healing.”
Twin Cities enacted the new Quiet Time policy this month, joining a recent movement among hospitals nationwide to take steps to reduce noise in the hospital and place greater importance on the quality of rest patients need for optimal recovery, as cited in a recent New York Times article.
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