![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Learning Objective 1: to describe the process used to collect data about patients’ noise perceptions in a cardiac telemetry unit.
Learning Objective 2: to discuss how a standardized survey of noise perception was used to guide unit based practice to reduce noise and improve patients’ perceptions
Background: A patient’s response to noise can be compared both physiologically and psychologically to the stress response and may result in patient dissatisfaction. In response to quality indicators showing low patient satisfaction related to quietness at night on a cardiac unit, an evidence-based survey was developed to identify patient dissatisifiers.
Evaluation of current research: Some evidence-based research recommends a survey approach to measure patient perception of noise. The origins of perceived noise can be explored with a checklist of common dissatisfiers (Overman Dube et al., 2008; Spence, Murray, Tang, Butler, & Albert, 2011).
Key issues and results: A 5 point Likert scale (ranging from very quiet to very loud) survey was developed to identify perceptions of noise levels. Patients used a checklist to identify sources of noises that were bothersome to patients during day, evening and night time hours. 723 patients were surveyed between 6/11 – 11/12. The survey identified intravenous pump alarms (32%), lab draws (27%), and roommate noise (25%) as the dissatisfiers. In response to the survey, a multidisciplinary approach was implemented to educate phlebotomy and unit staff about the results, current literature recommendations, and develop proposed interventions (e.g. closing doors, ‘speak softly’ reminders). Ongoing monitoring of practice changes showed that sources of patient dissatisfiers remained unchanged. However, patients’ perceptions of noise levels are demonstrating sustainable improvement.
Implications: Practice changes should not be limited to the night hours, but address noise perception over a 24 hour period. Using a standardized survey allows nurses to change practice to ultimately improve patients’ perceptions of noise and improve patient satisfaction with unit quietness.
See more of: Oral Paper & Poster: Evidence-Based Practice Sessions