Patient Safety
Patient safety is of the highest concern for health care organizations today. Within the hospital environment, noise can be a great factor in the welfare and safety of patients and staff. Patient falls can happen for many reasons, not the least of which are distractions that may cause a patient to lose their balance. By creating a quieter environment and minimizing sudden and often unpredictable sounds, patients are less likely to be startled and, therefore, less likely to fall. In addition, the confused patient is also one who may attempt to get out of bed when they are unable to safely do so. In addition to creating a safer environment for patients, The C.A.R.E. Channel helps create a healthier environment for staff. Studies have shown that a noisy workplace can lead to an increase in stress, burnout and depression. Many client hospitals play The C.A.R.E. Channel in staff lounges and break rooms to help relieve the stressors of the day.
The C.A.R.E. Channel, reducing anxiety and lessening confusion, decreases risk and improves patient safety. Extending care to patients during the long hours between clinical interventions will reduce staff stress. Unique to The C.A.R.E. Channel is a midnight star field designed to support the circadian rhythms and has been shown to improve restfulness and quality of sleep.
A supplement to The C.A.R.E. Channel, C.A.R.E. With Guided Imagery uses patients' active imagination to bring about responses in their bodies that can accelerate the healing process.
For more information on improving patient safety and reducing hospital noise, read Susan Mazer's articles on noise, or reference the HHS bibliography section for studies on this topic.
