Other Patient Experience-Adult Inpatient Measures



Quiet at Night

What are we measuring and why?

As part of a survey about their experience at Massachusetts General Hospital, hospital patients are asked the following question about our physical environment:

  • During this hospital stay, how often was the area around your room quiet at night?

This information helps us better understand patients’ perceptions of the MGH environment and identify ways to improve.

How are we doing and how do we compare to best practice?

Forty-nine percent (49%) of MGH inpatients indicated that MGH’s facilities were always quiet.  This is in line than the CMS national average of 62% and the MA state average of 53% (Apr 14-Mar 15, reporting for both).

  • Current Scores
  • Scores Over Time
  • Higher values are better
53% 62% 49%

MGH Source: Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (H-CAHPS) Adult Patient Experience Survey administered by Quality Data Management.
Comparison Group Source: CMS H-CAHPS survey.

MGH: Oct-Dec 15
CMS: Apr 14-Mar 15

49 51 49.25 50 50 49 53 52 52 52 52 52 53 53 53 53 61 61 61 61 62 62 62 62

MGH Source: Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (H-CAHPS) Adult Patient Experience Survey administered by Quality Data Management.
Comparison Group Source: CMS H-CAHPS survey.



What are we doing to improve?

MGH recognizes the importance of a quiet and healing environment, and is focused currently on minimizing noise levels.  Our older buildings have some areas that make it more difficult to achieve the ideal environment that we seek for our patients.  The new Lunder building offers a state-of-the-art facility, and we continue to work towards reducing noise levels in all our patient facilities. Currently MGH is engaged in a comprehensive effort to implement quiet times on all inpatient units.  Quiet times include 1 to 2 hours in the afternoon and 6 to 8 hours at night when activity and conversations are minimized, and lights are turned down across units.  Smartphones also were introduced in lieu of overhead paging, and Yacker Trackers are used to assist in monitoring noise.  Quiet times are communicated by signage placed throughout the units, staff reminding patients and families of designated quiet times, and unit champions reinforcing staff awareness.  Support service departments also provide assistance in reducing sources of noise including door alarms, slamming doors, pneumatic tube stations, and pantries.

 

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