mandatory designated quiet time

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jul 10, 2011

fixing the noisy hospital - the boston globe

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

Isn't that just like a hospital/corporation?

Institute a dumb idea, then come up with a dumber one trying to correct it.

As a quiet time should be a time to let a patient rest and heal, lunch is certainly not it!

Trays are being delivered and picked up, people to help feed if necessary... etc.

The metabolic work of eating in itself will not allow the body to rest.

Woked at the Mayo Clinic.

Their quiet time was 3- 4 pm. Lights dimmed, soothing music overhead, leave the patients alone!! :idea: :idea:

linearthinker, DNP, RN · Jul 10, 2011

My last hospital never did go to the colossally stupid idea of open visiting in the ICU, thank god. We still never had any peace and quiet b/c they built our unit directly next to the ED, the ED and CCU shared a nurses station! One good idea (strict visitation) juxtaposed, directly in this case(!) with a really bad one. :rolleyes:

misswhitney · Jul 10, 2011

1:30 to 3. We dim lights and shut the main doors and talk in lower voices.

skylark, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

Visiting is 1100 - 2000, unless a particular patient is likely to die overnight, in which case 24/7 visiting.

But we also have 'protected' mealtimes, which means all visitors out for half an hour, also no patient using a bedpan or commode alongside others trying to eat.

Also a quiet hour 1600-1700, although its difficult to implement that one as often docs want to check charts then before heading home. I often move it earlier say, 1500-1600 instead, it seems to work better.

ktdoodlebugs · Jul 10, 2011

I used to work in a hospital that had quiet time for icing between 1300 and 1500. Then at night time we had quiet time from midnight until 0400 for all areas of the hospital. This meant no lab draws vitals meds etc.

allnurses Guide · Jul 10, 2011

Quiet time where I work is 2-4 PM.

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

But we also have 'protected' mealtimes, which means all visitors out for half an hour, also no patient using a bedpan or commode alongside others trying to eat.

So, what if a patient needs to use the BSC or bedpan. Do you make them wait?

casi, ASN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

Nice concept, but doesn't seem super practical. I can just see it now....

**whispers*** hey you grab the crash cart!!

and no one hears.

On that note I am all for the quiet time. I've never understood why people think that once a family member or friend is in the hospital it's an awesome time to visit. Seriously they are in the hospital for a reason let them get some rest.

RNperdiem, RN · Jul 10, 2011

I think your hospital chose a poor time for quiet time.

My unit usually dims the lights at either 3pm or 5pm.

It coincides with a typical slowdown of the workload.

Perhaps you could approach your manager with the suggestion of how to make quiet time even better by adjusting the hour?

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2011

Quiet time should be at night. Thankfully in our unit, visiting hours are over at 2000. I think sleep in the hospital is very under rated and under appreciated. It pains me to see people getting their baths at 0300.