Honors Theses and Capstones

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Project Type

Senior Honors Thesis

College or School

CHHS

Department

Nursing

Program or Major

Nursing

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

First Advisor

Alyssa O'Brien

Second Advisor

Eileen Hollis

Abstract

Noise levels in hospital environments can negatively impact patient satisfaction and recovery, particularly in high-acuity units such as Progressive Care Units (PCUs) (Choiniere, D. B., 2010). Patient satisfaction surveys at the PCU at Exeter Hospital have consistently identified noise as a concern, highlighting the need for rigorous quality improvement (QI) planning phase to determine whether a structured intervention, such as white noise implementation, is indicated.

This project focuses on the initial planning phase of the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, n.d.) to assess the feasibility and necessity of introducing white noise machines to enhance patient experience on the PCU. The Plan phase involves conducting a literature review on hospital noise reduction strategies and engaging PCU staff through structured interviews and anonymous surveys to evaluate their perceptions of noise levels and potential barriers to implementation. Additionally, this phase will identify validated assessment tools such as PROMIS Sleep Disturbance scale (PROMIS, n.d.), that could be used to measure patient outcomes in future implementation efforts.

While this project does not proceed to the Do, Study, or Act phases, it lays the groundwork for a potential QI initiative by equipping the hospital with evidence-based recommendations, validated assessment measures, and structured implementation guidelines for future use if indicated. These findings will determine whether white noise interventions could be pursued and provide a roadmap for future quality improvement efforts aimed at optimizing the patient environment in the PCU.

Download

Share

COinS