HAWKINS COUNTY MEMORIAL ENHANCES PATIENT CARE
WITH NEW SYSTEM TO DECREASE NOISE
ROGERSVILLE – Hawkins County Memorial Hospital seeks to provide a soothing environment, free from distraction, so patients can focus on recovery.
To reinforce this goal, hospital leaders have taken an unconventional approach to red light excessive noise and green light a softer tone. Recently, they installed two "traffic light" sound sensors with green, yellow and red indicators to alert staff members about the noise level in their departments.
"During the course of a hospital's daily operations, it can be easy to overlook how loud a nursing floor or emergency department can get," said Sheri Ives, vice president of clinical services and operations at Hawkins County Memorial.
One light was installed on the medical-surgical floor, and the other was placed in the emergency department.
"Everyone thought it was a little humorous at first – until we set the volume levels and they kept alarming," Ives said. "Then many staff members began to realize how loud our areas can be sometimes without anyone even noticing."
The monitors were set appropriately for an average day and activity level – typically between 50 and 60 decibels. Soon noise levels decreased, and patient satisfaction scores rose.
Ives said it is essential to monitor noise, especially in departments with high activity levels.
"The lights are really more of a visual reminder than anything," she said. "They help us all remember to think about the whole hospital environment and the total patient experience, including noise levels."
Fred Pelle, Hawkins County Memorial's president, said the internal effort to control noise blends well with other moves the hospital has made, such as renovations to the emergency department and a new exit for patients, to enhance the environment for those who choose the facility as their medical provider.
"Patient comfort is a top priority at Hawkins County Memorial," Pelle said. "We appreciate the support from the patients we serve and are always looking for ways to make the experience at our community hospital more compassionate. Our goal is to deliver high-quality care to every patient who chooses our hospital."
Cutline: A "traffic light" sound sensor in the medical-surgical unit of Hawkins County Memorial Hospital helps reduce noise in that area.
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Wellmont Health System, Attention: Amy Stevens 1905 American Way, Kingsport, TN 37660 United States
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Jeff Fleming
Kingsport Blog
