Sleep Information | Disorders | Care | Treatmenthttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/en-US2012-02-23T21:44:08ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Study Links 'Body Clock' to Sudden Cardiac Deathhttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/2/23/study-links-body-clock-to-sudden-cardiac-death.html2012-02-23T18:32:04ZNew Understanding of Sleep/Wake on a Molecular Levelhttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/2/21/new-understanding-of-sleepwake-on-a-molecular-level.html2012-02-21T17:48:29ZAlzheimer’s Disease & Sleep Apneahttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/2/17/alzheimers-disease-sleep-apnea.html2012-02-17T19:02:37ZResearch is Promising for New Insomnia Drughttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/2/13/research-is-promising-for-new-insomnia-drug.html2012-02-13T18:29:24ZSleep Aids During Pregnancyhttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/2/10/sleep-aids-during-pregnancy.html2012-02-10T17:39:55ZFlexible Workplace, Better Healthhttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/2/8/flexible-workplace-better-health.html2012-02-08T20:10:59ZSleep Apnea Tied to 'Silent' Strokeshttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/2/7/sleep-apnea-tied-to-silent-strokes.html2012-02-07T15:06:16ZNoise in Hospitals Hinder Rest and Recoveryhttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/2/6/noise-in-hospitals-hinder-rest-and-recovery.html2012-02-06T16:11:49ZHospital rooms are becoming louder and louder places in this ever-changing high paced world. With all of the machines and personnel that go in and out of a standard patient hospital room it is no wonder we are having trouble falling asleep in a place where we are supposed to be resting to recover from illness or injury. Based on information provided by the world health organization the recommended noise level in a hospital room should not elevate past 30 to 40 decibels. However, researcher’s evidence shows the average room was closer to 50 decibels, with spikes in noise that reached levels as high as 80 decibels. To put this into perspective 80 decibels is equivalent to a power saw. This is obviously too loud for effective sleep and is one of the causes of patients not getting a good night’s sleep in a hospital room. While, most of the noise that was recorded was due to doctors and nurses talking, the drastic spikes in the noise level were alarms and intercom systems installed in the room.

Based on a study done by Dr. Vineet Arora from the University of Chicago, it showed the average person got close to an hour less sleep in the hospital room in comparison to a normal night at home. Sleep is an essential period for the body to rest, adapt and most importantly heal from illnesses and injuries. Without this vital rest the patient could experience longer recovery times, including extended hospital stays, or even see a decline in health.

While much of the sounds in hospital rooms are a direct result of the essential care that is being provided to treat the sick or injured, there are certainly steps that can be taken to reduce excessive noise levels. Possible solutions might include a volume reduction of the intercoms and alarms during sleeping hours, equipping healthcare providers with personal Bluetooth intercoms or providing patients with earplugs. These findings will hopefully lead hospitals to take notice of this problem and work towards a solution, not only to improve their hospital, but to improve their patient’s health and recovery.

]]>FAA Issues New Pilot Fatigue Ruleshttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/1/30/faa-issues-new-pilot-fatigue-rules.html2012-01-30T17:59:03ZTop 5 Products and Innovations in Sleephttp://sleepcare.com/sleepcare/2012/1/25/top-5-products-and-innovations-in-sleep.html2012-01-25T19:58:47Z