Decreased Stress Levels in Nurses: A Benefit of Quiet Time.
BACKGROUND
The benefits of quiet time, a therapeutic method of improving the health care environment, have been evaluated in patients, but only a few studies have examined the effects of quiet time on intensive care nurses.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of implementing quiet time in a medical-surgical intensive care unit on levels of light, noise, and nurses' stress.


METHODS
Quiet time consisted of turning down the unit lights for a designated time. Levels of light, noise, and nurses' stress were measured. Nurses' stress levels were measured by using a 100-point visual analog scale; unit noise, by using a digital sound level meter (model 407736, Extech Instruments); and unit light, by using an illumination light meter (model 615, Huygen Corporation). Measurements were obtained 30 minutes before and 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours after implementation of quiet time.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance and comparisons of means indicated that both light levels and nurses' stress levels were significantly decreased after quiet time (both P < .001). Noise levels were also decreased after quiet time, but the decrease was not significant (P = .08).


CONCLUSIONS
Use of quiet time resulted in decreased light levels and decreased stress levels among nurses. Quiet time is an easily performed energy-saving intervention to promote a healthy work environment.
Heather C. Riemer is a critical care nurse, UW Medicine Valley Medical Center, Renton, Washington. Joanna Mates is a critical care nurse and Bonnie J. Schleder is a critical care clinical nurse specialist, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, Illinois. Linda Ryan is an assistant professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois.
Heather C
HC
Riemer
Heather C. Riemer is a critical care nurse, UW Medicine Valley Medical Center, Renton, Washington. Joanna Mates is a critical care nurse and Bonnie J. Schleder is a critical care clinical nurse specialist, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, Illinois. Linda Ryan is an assistant professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois.
Joanna
J
Mates
Heather C. Riemer is a critical care nurse, UW Medicine Valley Medical Center, Renton, Washington. Joanna Mates is a critical care nurse and Bonnie J. Schleder is a critical care clinical nurse specialist, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, Illinois. Linda Ryan is an assistant professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois.
Linda
L
Ryan
Heather C. Riemer is a critical care nurse, UW Medicine Valley Medical Center, Renton, Washington. Joanna Mates is a critical care nurse and Bonnie J. Schleder is a critical care clinical nurse specialist, Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, Illinois. Linda Ryan is an assistant professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Lewis University, Romeoville, Illinois. bonnie.schleder@advocatehealth.com.
Bonnie J
BJ
Schleder
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires