Influence of Quiet Time on the Auditory Environment of Infants in the NICU

Abstract

Participants: Sixty-six infants born at less than 38 weeks gestation who were between 32 and 40 weeks postmenstrual age. Setting: The auditory environments of infants in two level 3 NICUs within a pediatric hospital system in the Southeastern United States. Each NICU implemented quiet time for 4 hours per day. Methods: We assessed the auditory environment of the participants using Language Environmental Analysis technology. We used paired t tests to assess differences in the auditory environment during quiet versus nonquiet time and to compare the effect of quiet time by room type, bed type, and clinical acuity. Results: During quiet time, the auditory environment of participants had 13% more silence, 17% fewer electronic sounds, 25% less speech, and 30% fewer words than during nonquiet time. We observed greater differences in quiet time versus nonquiet time for infants in open bays and incubators and infants who had greater acuity. Conclusion: Our results support the implementation of quiet time to increase silence and reduce exposure to electronic sounds for infants in the NICU. Additional research is necessary to further examine the effect of quiet time on the auditory environment of infants in the NICU with consideration of environmental and clinical variables.

A Quality Improvement Pilot Project for Noise Reduction in the NICU

“…In the hospital setting, the census fluctuates and parents who received initial education were not present during the entire project. The PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) method was utilized in the development and implementation of this pilot project 22…”

“…The PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) method was utilized in the development and implementation of this pilot project. 22…”

Interventional Effect of Quiet Time Protocol on the Physiological Parameters of Premature Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

“…The "quiet time protocol" or "quiet hour protocol" intervention includes a specific period consisting of 8-hour shifts during which light and sound are controllably reduced, and irritations at the patient's bedside are minimized (24,25). A protocol is designed to improve the environment by focusing on minimizing sound by including private rooms, educating staff about the negative effects of sound, keeping staff quiet, minimizing patient handling, turning down the alarm sounds, or setting them to vibration mode, using visual warning systems, responding immediately to the warning, building a toilet away from the baby's bed, and using plastic drawers instead of metal drawers (26). In the quiet time protocol, it is important to identify the source of the patient's stress as an environmental stimulus, prevent environmental stressors, and increase adaptation to the environment.…”