Impact of Quiet Time on Patient Experience

Abstract

A lack of rest and dedicated quiet time (QT) during the brief hospitalization can impact the women's experience and lead to adverse health outcomes. QT is a brief period of dedicated rest where the hospital nursing team dims the lights and minimizes interruptions to improve patient experience and promote optimal recovery. The significance of getting enough quality and quantity of sleep for postpartum patients is a public health concern and continues to be part of the Healthy People 2030 goals. This project aimed to explore patients' perceptions of QT and whether it positively affects their overall experience in the postpartum unit. A quantitative approach was used, with data collected through National Research Corporation (NRC) Health surveys from postpartum patients who received care during their hospitalization. The results indicate that implementing QT improved the patient experience. Patients felt more rested and appreciated the dedicated QT, which allowed them to rest and bond with their newborns. The findings provide valuable insights into the importance of incorporating QT in the postpartum unit and highlight the benefits that this initiative can have on patient experience.