Provo hospital gives patients the silent treatment


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PROVO — Hospitals don't always have a reputation as being places where one can get a good night's sleep. But one Utah hospital is trying to change that.

At 9 p.m. every night, the lights are dimmed at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. Soon after, a message is broadcasted throughout the hospital, asking patrons to speak softly.

"We know that a quiet environment helps patients heal faster and better," said Todd Hendricks, UVRMC service excellence manager. "We know if we can be quieter and less disruptive to their sleep that they will have better outcomes."

Maintenance, custodial work and deliveries all have to be completed before 9:00.


We know that a quiet environment helps patients heal faster and better.

–Todd Hendricks, UVRMC service excellence manager


Patients like Tammy Christensen, who has spent several weeks in the hospital for treatment, believe the silent treatment is working.

"The halls get dark and it's bedtime," Christensen said. "I've slept pretty good, probably better than home."

The hospital uses an "electronic ear" — a monitoring system to make sure visitors and hospital staff are literally keeping the peace.

"We are always conscious and aware of what (the monitor) is at. We try to keep even the yellow off," said nurse Trever Astle. "It's pretty sensitive."

Those middle-of-the-night visits to check vital signs still have to happen, but nurses try to keep from disturbing the patients.

"When you go in to check on them, if they are sleeping, do what you need to do quietly without waking them up," said nurse manager Becky Heffelfinger.

Since hospitals operate 24-7, the overnight staff has had to get used to keeping their voices down.

"Sometimes we get a rare patient who thinks it is too quiet and they want their door left open so they can hear the noise at the nurse's station," said nurse Celeste Moos. "But for the most part, they enjoy the quiet. They want it to be like it is at home."

But quiet time doesn't last all day.

"Sometimes I wish quiet time went until 9 or 10 in the morning," said Christensen.

Still, eight hours of quiet at night is the right dose of medicine many patients need.

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