Implementation of a Noise Reduction Bundle in a Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit

Noise adversely affects patients and staff in the hospital setting. The shared governance council of a medical-surgical intensive care unit identified noise reduction as a method to improve patient and staff experience.

The objective of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a noise reduction bundle on noise levels in a medical-surgical intensive care unit.

This quality improvement project involved collecting noise levels at preintervention and postintervention intervals. Staff were surveyed on noise levels and the perceived effect of the interventions on noise levels. A noise reduction bundle was implemented on the unit, which included staff and patient/visitor education, noise reduction signage, a visual noise indicator, and the implementation of structured quiet hours.

The benchmark noise levels were established at 55 dB for daytime hours and 50 dB for nighttime hours. There was a statistically significant reduction in daytime noise levels below the benchmark, whereas nighttime noise levels were unchanged. Staff felt that the bundle was helpful in reducing noise levels.

The implementation of a noise reduction bundle may help to reduce modifiable sources of noise in the critical care setting.