Promoting rest using a quiet time innovation in an adult neuroscience step down unit.

Sleep and rest are fundamental for the restoration of energy needed to recuperate from illness, trauma and surgery. At present hospitals are too noisy to promote rest for patients. A literature search produced research that described how quiet time interventions addressing noise levels have met with positive patient and staff satisfaction, as well as creating a more peaceful and healing environment. In this paper, a description of the importance of quiet time and how a small butfeasible innovation was carried out in an adult neuroscience step down unit in a large tertiary health care facility in Canada is provided. Anecdotal evidence from patients, families, and staff suggests that quiet time may have positive effects for patients, their families, and the adult neuroscience step down unit staff Future research examining the effect of quiet time on patient, family and staff satisfaction and patient healing is necessary.