The Silent Hospitals Help Healing campaign aims to reduce noise levels to 55 decibels, which is equivalent to conversation noise levels. Studies have shown high levels of noise can contribute to patients’ stress, adverse outcomes and medical errors. In addition, hospitals will begin reporting to the federal government patients’ satisfaction based an array of measures, including noise levels.
To achieve its goal, Belleville Hospital installed noise-absorbing ceiling tiles throughout the facility. The hospital also distributed headphones for TVs and is working to reduce the number of overhead paging announcements.
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