Can Reducing Noise Reduce Errors?

Some health consultants say the answer is yes. 

Last week, The Tennessan published a new article discussing ways that hospitals in Tennessee have taken action to reduce noise, which can lead to stress for both patients and caregivers.

"If you can reduce noise, you can reduce distractions, and that will help to reduce medical errors," said David J. Stewart, a principal in the health-care group at Gresham, Smith and Partners, a Nashville-based design and consulting firm.

Several hospitals have replaced overhead paging systems with individual pagers, some have redesigned their buildings to move noisy areas away from patient rooms, others have created sound barriers. 

Click here to read the story.