WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Keeping quiet at CVPH

Plattsburgh, New York - December 1, 2011

Lenora Kain rests in her bed at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh. She is battling an intestinal infection.

"No more noisy during the day than it would be any place else. There are a lot of people walking around, talking, conversating," she said.

Kain says CVPH is a lot quieter than other hospitals where she has received treatment, like in New York City.

"At night it is so calm sometimes I feel like I am in the hospital all by myself," she said.

Following numerous noise complaints from patients, the hospital launched the SHHH campaign three years ago. It stands for Silent Hospitals Help Healing. The goal-- to have decibel readings on the same par with a library.

"There have been several research studies that show noisy hospitals increase patient stress, allow them to not rest as easily, so if you have a very noisy hospital that doesn't allow people to sleep and rest, they could have prolonged hospital stays," said Christina Bushey of CVPH.

On this day, employees were given the silent treatment in a good way. The hospital brought in a mime to raise awareness and to help promote a fun, quiet work atmosphere.

"A lot of communication is body language," said Susan Biondolillo of CVPH. "Our staff having a positive attitude and being upbeat, the patients get a feeling for that and they are more positive in healing."

Nurses say the culture change has been tough to adjust too but is worth it because their number one goal is patient care.

"It's very difficult learning experience," said Bobbi-Jo Otis, a nurse. "I do everything fast paced and don't stop and think sometimes about how loud or how quiet I am being."

The hospital has also implemented other strategies to reduce the noise within the hospital.

"We offer patients headphones, ear buds for sleeping, we also put dampers on some of our doors so they don't slam, changed out some of our carts," Bushey said.

"You like that calmness and that quiet because you usually don't feel well," Kain said.

An effort that some may tip their hat to.

"SHHH!" Kain said.

The hospital says it is not sure what the current decibel readings are, but admit they still have a ways to go to accomplish their goal.