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Holistic Intervention to Address Hospital Noise Pollution

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Holistic Intervention to Address Hospital Noise Pollution

Abstract

This executive summary proposes a multimodal, holistic intervention to decrease ambient noise pollution at Rasmussen Hospital. As described herein, the approach brings together environmental modifications (such as sound-absorbing ceiling tiles, rubber flooring, and soft-close doors), staff training in noise-reducing practices, and sound masking with therapeutic music or white noise, patient-centered. These interventions are holistic, values-based in nursing, and evidence-based, according to current research: Holistic Intervention to Address Hospital Noise Pollution.

De Lima Andrade et al. (2021) found excessive noise throughout hospital wards to be a significant interrupter of patient sleep and recuperation. Vreman et al. (2023) validated that architectural changes and staff training effectively decreased ICU noise. Yu et al. (2025) showed evening noise diminution paired with attentive nursing improved sleep and lessen anxiety, facilitating the inclusion of personalized sound therapy into treatment plans.

The intervention will be individualized to the patient’s sound sensitivity and integrated into treatment plans through guided music or ambient sound for relaxation. Noise pollution will be managed with environmental dampening, staff behavior modification, and sound masking for patients. Effectiveness will be evaluated over six months using decibel measurements, patient sleep and satisfaction surveys, and staff reports of noise-induced stress and workflow disruption.

Assessment of the Problem

Noise pollution in the hospital setting is a persistent and growing concern that adversely affects both patients and healthcare staff. The World Health Organization recommends that average hospital sound levels not exceed 35 dB during the day and 30 dB at night; however, most hospitals consistently exceed these levels, with peak noise levels reaching 80–90 dB in intensive care units and emergency departments (de Lima Andrade et al., 2021). These elevated sound levels create an environment that is not conducive to healing and often result in increased stress, disrupted sleep, and impaired communication.

Two major sources of hospital noise include mechanical and electronic equipment, such as monitors, infusion pumps, ventilators, and alarm systems, and human activity, including staff conversations, intercom announcements, and patient movement. Vreman et al. (2023) recognized that noise generated by staff and unregulated alarm systems represent the predominant factors leading to environmental sound disturbances, especially in intensive care environments. Furthermore, the presence of hard surfaces and inadequate architectural acoustics can exacerbate sound levels, thus further intensifying noise pollution.

Excessive noise in patients has been associated with a variety of negative health consequences. Among the results are sleep issues that reduce the strength of the immune system, slow recovery and increased anxiety, becoming more irritable and decreased satisfaction with care (Yu et al., 2025). Excessive noise may both worsen patients’ pain and make it difficult for them to explain their needs to medical staff, which can cause patients to feel isolated from their care.

Healthcare personnel are also affected. Prolonged exposure to high noise levels has been linked to augmented stress and burnout, especially in high-acuity environments, and can contribute to decreased focus and communication errors (de Lima Andrade et al., 2021). These conditions undermine staff well-being and patient safety, highlighting the importance of integrated noise-reduction approaches in a model of care overall.

Discussion of Evidence-Based Holistic Caring Interventions

WHO suggests maintaining hospital noise levels at less than 35 decibels (dB) during the day and 30 dB at night to provide environments that are favorable for healing and patient recovery (de Lima Andrade et al., 2021). These guidelines need to be followed to reduce sleep disturbance, stress, and adverse health effects.

A highly effective holistic mind-body intervention is meditation training combined with noise management, which supports patients’ psychological and physiological well-being. Zhang et al. (2024) proved that integrating meditation training with controlled ward noise reduction significantly enhanced sleep quality and alleviated anxiety in stroke rehabilitation patients. Such an integrated approach allows the patient to take part in recovery as it relaxes the mind and body, counteracting the negative impact of ambient noise.

Environmentally, the addition of sound-absorbing products like acoustic ceiling tiles, padded floors, and soft-closing doors has been shown to minimize ambient noise and reverberation in patient areas. Vreman et al. (2023) validated that these kinds of architectural design interventions actually lower sound levels in intensive care units, fostering a more therapeutic atmosphere. These physical improvements are complemented by alarm management protocol and worker training in noise reduction methods to develop a multi-faceted approach that is directed at both the perception and causes of noise.

References

de Lima Andrade, E., da Cunha e Silva, D. C., de Lima, E. A., de Oliveira, R. A., Zannin, P. H. T., & Martins, A. C. G. (2021). Environmental noise in hospitals: a systematic review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28(16), 19629–19642. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13211-2

Vreman, J., Lemson, J., Lanting, C., van der Hoeven, J., & van den Boogaard, M. (2023). The effectiveness of the interventions to reduce sound levels in the ICU: A systematic review. Critical Care Explorations, 5(4), e0885. https://doi.org/10.1097/cce.0000000000000885

Yu, J., Xu, D., & Zhou, L. (2025). Effect of night-time noise control combined with detailed nursing on negative emotions and sleep quality in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Noise and Health, 27(125), 194–200. https://doi.org/10.4103/nah.nah_125_24

Zhang, X., Wang, X., Liu, T., Ha, H., Dong, J., & Ma, S. (2024). Effect of ward noise management combined with meditation training on stroke rehabilitation patients. Noise and Health, 26(121), 107–113. https://doi.org/10.4103/nah.nah_128_23

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Question 

Scenario

You are an RN at Rasmussen Hospital and were recently chosen to be the chairperson of the newly formed Holistic Nursing Committee. Hospital leadership has asked your committee to address inpatient complaints about the amount of general noise pollution throughout the hospital.

The committee members feel this is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate how the holistic caring process can be applied to addressing the problem of noise pollution in the hospital. They have asked you to write an executive summary for hospital leadership.

You have a basic familiarity with holistic interventions that enhance the inpatient experience and promote healing, but know you will need to investigate evidence-based research about noise reduction and optimization.

Instructions

Write an executive summary that demonstrates the use of the holistic caring process to address general noise pollution in the hospital. The summary should include:

  1. An abstract summarizing the holistic intervention you recommend be implemented in the hospital to combat general noise pollution. It should address the following:
    • a. Briefly describe the intervention. Be sure to support your recommendation using at least three evidence-based research articles.
    • b. Provide a statement of how this intervention could be incorporated into a patient’s therapeutic care plan.
    • c. Describe how this intervention would reduce general noise pollution in the hospital.
    • d. Describe how you would evaluate this intervention over time.

      Holistic Intervention to Address Hospital Noise Pollution

      Holistic Intervention to Address Hospital Noise Pollution

  2. Assessment of the problem, challenges, and outcomes associated with hospital noise pollution. Include the following:
    • e. A description of general noise pollution in the hospital setting.
    • f. At least two sources of noise pollution in the hospital setting.
    • g. At least two health effects of noise pollution on patients.
    • h. At least two health effects of noise pollution on staff.
  3. Discussion of the evidence-based, holistic caring interventions for addressing noise pollution in the hospital setting. Include the following:
    • i. At least one recommendation for acceptable sound levels in the hospital.
    • j. At least one evidence-based, holistic, mind-body intervention that promotes health and well-being in the hospitalized patients.
    • k. At least one evidence-based, holistic, environmental intervention for addressing noise pollution.

Resources

Consult the resources below for help developing your submission.

Notes:

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