Medline

'Quiet Kits' can change patient experience

Packages containing ear plugs, an eye mask, lip balm and puzzles are put on the pillows of patient beds to help patients relax


"Quiet Kits" are packages presented on the pillows of patient beds containing ear plugs, an eye mask, lip balm and puzzles to help patients relax. They were developed by a committee of healthcare professionals concerned with cutting down on noise disruption, according to an article on the Becker Hospital Review website.

The kits also included a "Questions for My Care Team" journal and a "Voices Down Please" door hanger.

"It's great for a patient who is sick to have those earplugs to drown out that noise or the eye masks to shut yourself off from the bright lights and things that are part of the hospital environment," said Cathy Frontczak, vice president and CNO at Hospitals in Oxnard and Camarillo, Calif. "The Sudoku or different crossword puzzles really help to distract patients from their discomfort or anxiety."

Frontczak said the distractions the kits provide have even helped reduce the need for pain medication for some patients. Additionally, Frontczak found family members and hospital visitors also enjoy the kits.

Not only did patients and their families find a reprieve from the hospital through the kits, but clinicians' attitudes and behaviors changed as well, said Sue MacInnes, Medline's chief market solutions officer. If a nurse was rounding and saw the patient was wearing the eye mask or the ear plugs, the nurse would know to come back later and not disturb the patient while he or she rests.

Read the article.

 



July 15, 2014


Topic Area: Maintenance and Operations


Recent Posts

The Future of Backup Power Systems in Healthcare Facilities

Manufacturers discuss what trends are shaping the future of backup power systems in healthcare.


Infection Control is Key to Ongoing Measles Outbreak

Infection control is essential to protecting both patients and staff from contracting measles.


Kaiser Permanente to Open New Parker Medical Offices

It also announced it's in the early stages of planning a rebuild and expansion of its Westminster Medical Offices.


Skanska Completes Renovation for New Sutter Health Care Center

The new facility will provide internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, as well as lab and imaging services.


Probiotic Cleaners: The Start of a Cleaning Revolution?

Advantages of probiotic cleaning include fewer resistant genes and cost savings through decreased antibiotic use.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.