Hospital Noise: How Librarians Can Help

Hospital Librarians: From Consumer Health to Patient Education and Beyond

“…Librarians who are responsive to the specific needs of a hospital and its mission are more likely to build and or continue with a thriving service (10). For example, patient safety may be added to the focus of librarians because they can perform the evidence-based literature searches for staff trying to improve outcomes (8,9). Therefore, librarians provide support for staff needing assistance with research as well as patient education resources.…”

“…Although this may be difficult initially, involvement in significant projects that affect the bottom line, for example, reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), should be presented to supervisors and administration. An example from the experience at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) is the campaign for making the hospital a quiet place (9).…”

Editorial: Noise on hospital wards – what have we learned?

“…At the same time noise reduction initiatives have been popular in hospital settings since in the 1990s (Deberg & Egeland ). One innovative strategy in the USA to reduce hospital noise involved engaging the collaborative services of the hospital librarians as these was deemed most useful and experienced in maintaining quiet (library) environments as well as assisting with literature searches on the topic (Deberg & Egeland ). Librarians saw this as part of their new and evolving role.…”

“…Librarians saw this as part of their new and evolving role. However, at the same time despite widespread noise reduction interventions, increased research (Deberg & Egeland ) and awareness, hospital noise persists:

“In comparing the state of healthcare in the 19th century with that of the 21st century, it is clear that the uncontrollable and seemingly unmanageable ways that noise penetrates the hospital environment has changed for the worse”. (Mazer :350)

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“…Staff ought to be reminded of the culture and ethos of quiet and ought to strive to maintain a peaceful atmosphere where possible. Regular audits ought to determine whether or not patients and family have cause for concern about hospital noise and health care facilities should seek to address issues proactively using creative solutions, such as the employment of a quiet expert such as a librarian (Deberg & Egeland ) or staff handover briefing reminders (Currie et al . ).…”