Nursing Research Utilization Project, Research Paper Example

Identify a work-setting problem.

Noise and sound reduction in hospitals is a prevailing problem according to the patient satisfaction survey results published by HCAHPs (the hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare providers and Systems). Aside from being an additional stressor to the already complex process of healing, excessive noise has been proven to impede patient recovery, or in many cases escalate symptoms.

Describe a problem or issue that needs a solution.

It is a basic and common understanding within the medical industry that rest supports healing (Massachusetts General Hospital, 2012). One of the most vital supplements for patient recovery is sleep. It allows the body to rejuvenate from a long day and rebuild overall physical strength, the body’s natural antioxidants and the immune system. Sleep also reduces stress which is a known trigger of escalating illness, and a noisy hospital environment is a direct deterrent to this form of healing. Not maintaining a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, can also impact patient satisfaction, but this can be a challenging obstacle for any 24 hour business. Data supporting this can be found in the “Quiet at Night” measurements provided in the HCAHP patient satisfaction survey.

Provide support that the problem or issue is an important one to solve.

In an HCAHP survey administered by Massachusetts General Hospital in 2011, they assessed the hospital’s “Quiet at Night” measurement. It was found that the hospital’s measurement was 46%, which is below the national average of 50%. While this measurement is below the national average, it’s not that much far from the common trend and the data retrieved in their survey provides the perfect evidence for how failed noise reduction policies in hospitals can affect patient healing and satisfaction. When interviewed about the noise at Massachusetts General Hospital, patients noted some of the following concerns:

• “During the night when they bring in a new patient, they put all the lights on and talk in loud voices.”
• “The noise level at night. It really prevented me from getting the rest I needed.”
• “They could keep it a little more quieter and they could pay a little more attention to each patient.”
• “My roommate was very ill throughout and required constant care. I could not get any rest at all. It was noisy. It was a hostile environment.”

State a project objective that is specific, realistic, and measurable.

The project objective of implementing quiet times and other strategic noise reduction programs is to improve patient satisfaction and ultimately increase their probability for recovery.

Describe briefly the proposed solution and the way in which it will solve the problem or issue.

The proposed solution of implementing noise reduction strategies, specifically incorporating quiet times during a hospital work days, will resolve the issue specifically through applying protocol to designated times to reduce noise pollution.

Solution Description

The Solution for noise pollution in hospitals is one that requires constant care and awareness of nurses and supporting hospital staff. The obligation to maintain a quiet sleeping environment for patients predominantly lays on the hands of the nurses, but hospital policy as it relates to the way shifts are changed, how many patients share a room, how late guests are allowed to visit, and how medical staff are contacted via intercom, all play a part in the successfully reduction of noise.

Develop a description of the proposed solution.

Describe the proposed solution.

The proposed solution for counteracting noise pollution in hospitals is to implement scheduled quiet times during work days for the purpose of increasing overall patient satisfaction and “Quiet at Night” measurements. This recommendation is supported by industry research.

Describe the way(s) in which the proposed solution is consistent with current research knowledge.

As previously shown, current research demonstrates there is an urgent and justifiable need for noise reduction practices to be implemented in hospitals nationwide, and perhaps globally. The initial goal of hospital care and treatment is to progress and enhance healing and recovery from ailments due to illness or traumatic events, but this all starts with the care environment. If hospitals are not capable of providing the peace and quiet needed for proper recovery, than they are seemingly no better than the alternatives like self care, homeopathic retreats, neurological therapy etc…

Discuss the feasibility of implementing the proposed solution in the work setting.

As noted by Richardson, Thompson, Coghill, Chambers, and Turnock nurses make the implementation of noise reduction programs like quiet times and other strategic programs feasible. The authors point out that, “Sleep deprivation is detrimental to patients with acute illness, so any developments to improve patients’ sleep are important. Nurses have a key role in leading, developing and implementing changes to reduce peak noise levels on inpatient wards in hospitals (Richardson, Thompson, Coghill, Chambers, & Turnock, 2003).” Feasibility of implementing these programs in a work setting solely relies on the success of nurses to handle these issues. In the HCAHP surveys run by Massachusetts General Hospital, a realistic approach to noise reduction is explained. The authors note that “many units designate 2 hours in the afternoon and 4 hours during the night as quiet hours. Common structure is from 1 – 3:00 pm in the afternoon and from 10:00 pm – 2:00 am during the night. Of course, shift changes need to be considered in selecting the designated quiet hours (Massachusetts General Hospital, 2012).” Here

Discuss the way(s) in which the proposed solution is consistent with organization or community culture and resources.

In regards to hospital resources, prior to the era of mobile devises, hospitals were run on intercom systems. Now with the advent of text messaging, instant messaging, and web accessible devices, it’s realistically possible for nurses and hospital staff to correspond silently. Hospital community culture is one that functions on a 24 hour per day schedule. The application of pre-designated quiet times allows for non-traditional times throughout the day when patients can rest. This system is compatible with the 24 hour per day nature of the hospital industry.

References

Agency for Healthcare research and Quality. (2007). Transforming hospitals: Designing for safety and quality. Retrieved from http://www.ahrq.gov/qua/transform.htm

Henriksen, K., Isaacson,S., & Hinz, C. (2004). Safety by design initiatives at AHRQ [PowerPoint]. Retrieved from archive.aahrq.gov/about/annualmtg07/0928slides/…/Henriksen.ppt

Massachusetts General Hospital. (2012). Addressing quietness on units best practice implementation guide. Retrieved from www.mghpcs.org/eed_portal/…/ADDRESSING-QUIETNESS.pdf

Richardson, A., Thompson, A., Coghill, E., Chambers, I., & Turnock, C. (2009). Development and implementation of a noise reduction intervention programme: a pre- and postaudit of three hospital wards. Journal Of Clinical Nursing, 18(23), 3316-3324. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2702.2009.02897.x

U.S. department of Health and Human Services. (2012). HCAHPS fact sheet. Retrieved from www.hcahpsonline.org

Vehid, S., Erginöz, E., Yurtseven, E., Çetin, E., Köksal, S., & Kaypmaz, A. (2011). Noise Level of Hospital Environment. TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin, 10(4), 409-414.