Primary Care and Public Health Libraries

C1aLibrary Impact Case Study

Library concerned: Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation NHS Trust
Name of case study:Noise reduction advisory group
Date of interview:
Interviewee / Name: Felicity Astin
Job Title: Professor of Nursing
Trust/Employing body: Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust/University of Huddersfield
Email:
Tel: 07714615195
Summary of problem or reason for enquiry / Poor sleep quality due to noise levels in hospital settings has been acknowledged as a common problem nationally. Patient feedback at Calderdale and Huddersfield Trust(CHT) indicates that, like others, we could improve in optimising sleep for our patients. Research evidence states that poor sleep is associated with increased stress, risks of falls, longer recovery times and increases hospital stay. Most research examining noise levels in hospital has focused on critical care settings. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) from CHT, including our librarian, contributed to the development of a research bid to;
-Identify interventions designed to reduce noise and improve sleep quality in ward settings;
-Objectively measure noise levels in a medical ward setting. Findings were to be used to inform quality improvement.
Briefdescription of the information found / service provided / The librarian was asked to identify published literature about patients experiences of sleep in hospital and interventions designed to improve sleep quality. Conducting the literature search using a systematic approach provided the team with the necessary information to understand the extent of current research and areas for further investigation. This was a key step in the development of a successful funding bid, awarded by The General Nursing Council for England and Wales Trust, which involved senior colleagues at CHT and partners from the Universities of Huddersfield, Leeds and Imperial College. The librarian was also instrumental in contributing to a systematic review which comprised a work package in the research study.
Summary of outcome and impact / The contribution of Library Services at CHT was essential in the development of a high quality funding bid which was externally reviewed in a competitive process and was a catalyst to several initiatives. Funds from the bid have supported an exploratory study to objectively measure noise levels and evaluate the self-reported quality and quantity of sleep in a ward setting. This research is innovative as there is very little published research on this topic. Findings will be used to inform a quality improvement project at CHT which has attracted additional funding and the work stream has been adopted as part of the Translating Knowledge into Action theme of the National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care Yorkshire and Humber (NIHR CLAHRC YH). Through this project CHT is making international links with hospitals in New Zealand with a shared interest in this quality improvement (QI). Findings from the funded research will be disseminated in peer reviewed journal articles. Additional funding bids will be developed to progress this work. Our aim is to develop a programme of work, led by CHT, which focuses upon QI to reduce noise levels in ward settings to improve sleep quality for patients. There is evidence that the optimisation of sleep for in-patients has the potential to improve the patient experience, promote harm-free care and reduce length of stay.
Immediate Impact
(including quotes) / The service from the library was invaluable in the preparation of a research bid for funding, which was successful. As a result we have stated a research study which will influence service development about how noise can be reduced in a ward setting to improve patient sleep quality. The service from the library was excellent.

24_05_16