Night-time Noise Levels and Patients’ Sleep Experiences in a Medical Assessment Unit in Northern England

• DOI: 10.2174/1874434602014010080
• Publication Date: 2020-06-19T11:25:02Z
• Authors: Felicity Astin; John Stephenson; Jonathan Wakefield; Ben Evans; Priyanka Rob; Garside Joanna; Emma Harris
• Keywords: Decibel; Sleep; Sound level meter

Background: Hospital in-patients need sleep so that restorative process and healing can take place. However, over one third of experience disturbance, often caused by noise. This compromise patients’ perceptions care quality cause physical psychological ill health. Aims: To assess 1) quality, quantity, reported sources disturbance their suggestions for improvement 2) objectively measure decibel levels recorded at night. Methods: descriptive study conducted in a Medical Assessment Unit used multi-methods; semi-structured ‘sleep experience’ questionnaire administered to purposive sample in-patients; recording night-time noise levels, on 52 consecutive nights, using two calibrated Casella sound level meters. Results: Patient ratings ‘in-hospital’ quantity (3.25; 2.72 SD) (2.91; 2.56 was poorer compared ‘home’ (5.07; 2.81 (5.52; 2.79 SD). The difference (p<0.001) whilst hospital, home, statistically significant. Care processes, from other patients the built environment were common disturbance. Participants’ similar interventions identified current research. constant ranged 38-57 decibels (equivalent an office environment), peak reached maximum 116 decibels, banging car door metre away). Conclusion: self-rated patient significantly home. Noise night contributed Decibel equivalent those international studies. Data informed development ‘Sleep Smart’ toolkit designed improve in-patient experience.