From eliminating overhead paging to noise reduction programs, the New Haven Register examines the various efforts taken by Connecticut hospitals to help patients sleep better.
Clattering carts, overly bright lights and frequent disruptions make hospitals a tough place to get a good night’s sleep.
But now, hospitals across Connecticut are launching efforts to help patients sleep longer and better.
At Yale-New Haven Hospital, researchers are expanding a pilot program that successfully reduced noise in the medical ICU and kept staff out of patient rooms overnight.
At Hartford Hospital, where noise levels sometimes resembled airport runways, they’ve eliminated overhead paging on patient floors except in true emergencies.
And Stamford Health’s new hospital building, slated to open in September, is designed with sleep in mind. Floors are sound resistant, windows are covered with blackout shades, and nurses’ stations have been decentralized to keep down conversations.
