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In hospitals, the most common complaint from patients isn't the food, but the noise from the food delivery carts. Patients hear these carts before they even see them. The "clacking" of hospital carts rolling on hard floors, the harsh clatter of metal against plastic, and even the squeaking of cart parts that need oiling—these noises are unavoidable. Especially in a hospital setting, where patient rest and treatment are crucial, these noises from medical carts often put unnecessary strain on a patient's recovery.
According to the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey, noise is one of the most common complaints from hospital patients, staff, and visitors. Hospital noise, particularly cart noise, has become a significant factor impacting the patient experience and treatment outcomes. In this article, we will delve into the sources of hospital cart noise, analyze its impact on patients, and explain how Giessen medical casters can provide hospitals with innovative solutions to reduce noise and improve patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes.
In recent years, rising hospital noise levels have become a global public health concern. Noise levels in many hospitals often exceed the recommended standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), severely impacting patients' sleep quality, mental health, and treatment outcomes. The WHO recommends that average noise levels in hospitals should not exceed 35 decibels, and nighttime noise should not exceed 40 decibels. However, in reality, hospital noise levels sometimes reach 80 decibels, even approaching the intensity of a chainsaw.
Research shows that hospital noise not only leads to poor sleep quality for patients but can also negatively impact their recovery. For example, patients with coronary heart disease who receive treatment in noisy environments are significantly more likely to have a relapse or be rehospitalized than those treated in quiet environments. This is because high noise levels can increase patients' psychological stress and anxiety, leading to worsening of their condition.
Medical carts are essential tools in hospitals, widely used for food delivery, medication distribution, bed transfers, IV poles, and other tasks. However, the widespread use of carts in hospitals also contributes to significant noise pollution. According to the HCAHPS survey, patients generally rate hospital surrounding areas quietness poorly at night. Many patients chose "never" or "sometimes" as responses, indicating that hospital noise, particularly noise from medical carts, is a significant bother.
The impact of cart noise is multifaceted:
Poor sleep quality: Noise disruption is a major factor contributing to poor sleep quality for hospitalized patients. Resting in a quiet environment helps accelerate recovery, but noise prevents adequate rest, hindering treatment effectiveness.
Increased psychological stress: Continuous noise can cause patients to feel anxious and irritable, increasing discomfort during treatment.
Impaired treatment outcomes: Excessive noise levels can affect patients' physiological recovery. Studies have shown that patients recover more slowly in noisy environments, and their condition may even worsen, especially for patients who require a quiet environment (such as those with heart disease).
Hospital cart noise has various sources, primarily related to the quality and design of the cart's casters. Many hospital carts are equipped with ordinary, low-quality casters. While inexpensive, these casters can cause significant noise nuisance to patients and staff. The following are several common causes of noisy medical cart casters:
Hard rubber tires: The rubber tires used on many medical carts are too hard and cannot effectively absorb and dissipate impact. Therefore, when the tires come into contact with hard surfaces, they tend to produce loud noises.
Loose wheel tracks: If the rollers on the caster are loose, the cart will vibrate unsteadily during travel, increasing noise.
Missing bearings: Many hospital carts use bearingless casters. The friction between the metal axle and the plastic wheel core creates noise, which is especially noticeable when the cart is heavily loaded.
Aging caster components: Over time, caster components such as bearings and tires wear due to lack of lubrication, resulting in a squeaking noise.
These issues are common in hospital carts and are a major source of noise in hospitals. Hospital administrators need to recognize that addressing these issues is crucial to improving the patient experience.
To effectively reduce cart noise, more and more hospitals are switching to high-quality, purpose-built medical casters. Giessen medical casters, with their superior design and performance, are the preferred solution for reducing noise in hospital carts.
The design and materials of Giessen medical casters have been carefully optimized to significantly reduce cart noise while enhancing durability and comfort. Here are some key advantages of Giessen medical casters:
High-performance polyurethane: Giessen medical casters are made of high-quality polyurethane, which effectively absorbs and dissipates vibrations during operation, reducing vibration-induced noise. Polyurethane not only offers excellent elasticity but also maintains its quietness over extended use.
Sealed bearing technology: Giessen medical casters are equipped with sealed bearings, which effectively distribute loads and reduce friction between metal and plastic, thereby reducing noise and extending the life of the caster.
Durability: Giessen medical casters undergo rigorous durability testing to withstand prolonged use in hospital environments without degradation. They maintain quiet and smooth operation even under frequent use.
Innovative design: Giessen medical casters are ergonomically designed to ensure smoother cart operation, reduce stress on medical staff, and minimize noise during pushing. By switching to Giessen medical casters, hospitals can significantly reduce cart noise, improving the patient experience and boosting treatment outcomes. Many hospitals have successfully improved patient sleep quality and mental well-being by switching to casters.
In the hospital environment, reducing cart noise is directly linked to patient experience and satisfaction. Studies have shown that a quieter environment can significantly improve patient mental health and satisfaction, ultimately boosting the hospital's HCAHPS score.
More importantly, a quiet environment facilitates patient recovery. According to research from King's College London and the University of the Arts London, patients with coronary heart disease who were treated in a quieter environment experienced significantly better outcomes than those treated in a noisy environment. Patients are more likely to relax and experience less anxiety in a quiet environment, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
Although hospital administrators often don't prioritize caster selection, the quality and performance of casters directly impact patient experience and treatment outcomes. More and more hospitals are realizing that reducing noise not only improves patient satisfaction but also enhances treatment outcomes. If your hospital or healthcare facility is experiencing issues with noisy medical carts, Giessen medical casters offer the perfect solution. By switching to Giessen medical casters, you can not only significantly reduce noise levels but also improve patient experience and satisfaction.
If you're ready to discuss a solution or need more information about Giessen medical casters, please contact us. You can contact Giessen casters via the following methods:
Email: Giessencasters@gmail.com
Website: https://www.giessencasters.com
