Heartbeat: New era comes with new ear

November 8, 2019

It’s well known that critical care is not the quietest of clinical environments. This can be due to a number of factors such as medical equipment monitors, and all the activity associated with looking after critically unwell patients.

Catherine Beddowes, Critical Care Follow up Support Service Senior Sister explained: “We know that we work in a busy environment and that patients can suffer as a result of sensory overload, experiencing delirium as a result. People who suffer delirium can get confused and agitated with their clinical outlook and psychological wellbeing affected. Lack of sleep, oxygen and the medication they need can all work to produce delirium in a patient, but environmental factors are most important.

“So as a team we came up with the idea to introduce quiet time in critical care. This is to address some of the environmental factors that can affect patients’ equilibrium.

“We’ve also introduced aids to sleep such as eye masks and earplugs, to reduce glare and minimise noise.

“Educating our colleagues is vital in changing the environment as they can hugely affect the sound levels on the ward. Using charitable funds we purchased a sound ear. This is a visual display of noise levels in the department. There are three levels – green, amber and red which immediately show colleagues what the current noise level is. At the moment we have only bought one ear, and are trialling it in City critical care. We are planning to buy another three, with two ears for each unit, providing cover across the clinical environment.

“Already, after five weeks colleagues are very aware of it and have changed their behaviour.

“We’ve also introduced quiet time from 3pm – 4.30pm where we dim the lighting and ask visitors not to visit. This is to give our patients time for complete rest without any distractions.

“We consulted with colleagues who work with patients on the unit, and they were wholeheartedly supportive of the initiative. Even relatives have embraced it as it gives them a breathing space, and time to look after themselves.

“All routine nursing care is done outside of this time, and only clinical emergencies break the quiet. The initiative has been well received by all colleagues with our junior doctors particularly welcoming the move. The trust is introducing a quiet protocol across all ward areas in coming weeks.”