The Effectiveness of Noise Reduction Techniques on Patient Anxiety Scores in Emergency Care Settings
Advisor(s)
Jamie Craig
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 11:50 AM
Abstract
Abstract
Problem: Noise Levels in Emergency Departments around the world have a high tendency to exceed the World Health Organization's recommended value of 35-45 decibels (dB.) Studies have proven that noise in hospital settings typically average around 58-65 dB. With this increase in noise, it can cause increases in patient anxiety, sleep disturbances, and potential communication barriers for reports amongst hospital staff. In Emergency Room settings, some noise is unavoidable. However, it is important to find easy, low-cost interventions to help reduce unnecessary noise. This is essential to improving the quality of the patient experience, and nurse-led environmental interventions may be the best way to address the issue.
Aim: The purpose of this project is to determine if a nurse-led noise reduction bundle in the ED can decrease patient-anxiety levels compared to the regular standard of care.
Methods: This project will use a pre-test/post-test design in the ED of a 46-bed nonprofit hospital. During the first 3 months of the study, baseline data will be collected during normal care conditions. Noise levels will be monitored with SoundEar devices, and patient stress will be measured by using the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A). During the next three months, a Nurse-Initiated Quiet Bundle will begin. This bundle includes educating staff on noise awareness, SoundEar monitors set to a 45 dB threshold, and quiet times from 15:00-17:00, and 01:00-03:00.
Conclusion: Reducing noise in the ED may help decrease patient anxiety and further improve patient care. The Nurse-Initiated Quiet Bundle could prove as a simple, low-cost intervention to improve the patient experience.
Recommended Citation
Hensley, Hunter E., "The Effectiveness of Noise Reduction Techniques on Patient Anxiety Scores in Emergency Care Settings" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 41.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/41
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The Effectiveness of Noise Reduction Techniques on Patient Anxiety Scores in Emergency Care Settings
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Abstract
Problem: Noise Levels in Emergency Departments around the world have a high tendency to exceed the World Health Organization's recommended value of 35-45 decibels (dB.) Studies have proven that noise in hospital settings typically average around 58-65 dB. With this increase in noise, it can cause increases in patient anxiety, sleep disturbances, and potential communication barriers for reports amongst hospital staff. In Emergency Room settings, some noise is unavoidable. However, it is important to find easy, low-cost interventions to help reduce unnecessary noise. This is essential to improving the quality of the patient experience, and nurse-led environmental interventions may be the best way to address the issue.
Aim: The purpose of this project is to determine if a nurse-led noise reduction bundle in the ED can decrease patient-anxiety levels compared to the regular standard of care.
Methods: This project will use a pre-test/post-test design in the ED of a 46-bed nonprofit hospital. During the first 3 months of the study, baseline data will be collected during normal care conditions. Noise levels will be monitored with SoundEar devices, and patient stress will be measured by using the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A). During the next three months, a Nurse-Initiated Quiet Bundle will begin. This bundle includes educating staff on noise awareness, SoundEar monitors set to a 45 dB threshold, and quiet times from 15:00-17:00, and 01:00-03:00.
Conclusion: Reducing noise in the ED may help decrease patient anxiety and further improve patient care. The Nurse-Initiated Quiet Bundle could prove as a simple, low-cost intervention to improve the patient experience.