No More Call Bells? New ‘Silent Hospital’ Tech Helps Patients and Nurses Alike

As anyone who has ever tried to get some rest in a hospital can attest, hospitals aren't exactly known for being peaceful places. Between the constant beeping of monitors, call bells ringing like they’re competing for attention, and overhead announcements, it’s no surprise that noise is a constant complaint. 

But here’s the kicker: all this racket isn't just annoying—it can actually slow down patient recovery. Excessive noise on its own can hinder vital patient rest and recovery, not to mention the physical disruptions that can accompany the noise. (Hello, 3 AM vitals check.) 

That’s where the Silent Hospital Pilot Project, a trail program at the  Royal Cornwall Hospital in the UK comes in, shaking things up one quiet alert at a time.

This collaboration between the National Health Service (NHS) and tech company DNV Imatis is putting the traditional call bell system on mute, replacing it with silent mobile alerts sent directly to healthcare staff phones. 

So far, the NHS has tested the quiet-yet-effective idea on an antenatal ward, and early results look promising, translating to better rest for birthing parents and babies, faster recovery for patients, and more efficient workflows for staff.  

Noise: Not Just a Nuisance

While a necessary part of healthcare, noise is a problem in hospitals and healtchare facilities.. The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines from 1999—when there was far less noisy tech than today—state that hospital noise should stay under 30 decibels during the day and 40 decibels at night. To put that into perspective, a whisper measures in at just about 30 decibels. 

Despite the WHO's recommendations, most hospital noise levels average 45-50 decibels and can spike above 80 decibels—about as loud as heavy traffic. Yikes!

This is bad news because excessive noise has been linked to sleep disturbances, higher stress hormone levels, and slower healing. For nurses, this means that the environment they work in could unintentionally be making it harder for our patients to recover. 

And let’s not forget the impact on nurses too, because nobody thrives in a chaotic, noisy workplace.

Call bells, while necessary for communication, can be a big contributor to the noise pollution a hospital. Every ring disrupts not just the nurse it’s meant for but also the patients trying to rest, visitors hoping for a quiet moment, and staff who don’t need to respond but still hear the alert. 

It’s like a group text when only one person needs the info.

Silent Alerts: A Game-Changer for Patients and Nurses

As a solution to solving at least one part of the noise pollution, the Silent Hospital Pilot Project, a collaboration between NHS and DNV Imatis , was launched in the UK.

Instead of traditional call bells, patients activate a silent alert that gets sent directly to the appropriate staff member’s mobile device. No loud alarms, no unnecessary interruptions, just direct communication.

There are several benefits to the silent text-based alerts:

Efficiency for Nurses 

For nurses, this isn’t just about reducing noise; it’s about working smarter. With targeted alerts, only the right nurse gets notified, cutting down on distractions for everyone else. 

It also makes sense from a workload perspective. It's incredibly inefficient for a nurse to walk to a patient's room to see what they need, only to find out the patient only wants a glass of water, clear on the other side of the unit. Getting the message request texted allows nurses to respond effectively and efficiently, and batch work as needed, too. 

As part of the specific project, patients could direct their requests specifically to staff members they needed as well, freeing up time for nurses to focus on patient care. 

Better patient care

While the silent system is being piloted on an anetnal ward, the benefits were immediately clear: moms and their babies reported better moods, sleep, rest, and recovery. Postpartum recovery depends on things like uninterrupted sleep, proper feeding routines, and bonding time—all of which can be disrupted by a noisy environment. By keeping things quiet, this system supports milk production, wound healing, and helps those tiny humans settle into their new world.

Cost-effective

Another huge positive is that this isn’t some fancy upgrade that requires a million-dollar renovation. The Silent Hospital system works with existing mobile devices and takes minimal training for staff to use. Plus, it directs patients to the staff they need, saving time and ultimately, resources. 

For instance, the BBC reports that the project saved over $98,000 since its implementation in April 2024. 

Less Noise, Better Outcomes

While specific stats from this pilot project are still rolling in, there’s plenty of evidence showing how noise reduction can improve patient outcomes. 

One study found that noise reduction protocols decreased average sound levels by 10-15 decibels and boosted patient satisfaction scores by nearly 30%. 

Another found that implementing noise reduction strategies, such as two hours of quiet time or sleep menus, at a hospital improved patient satisfaction and overall sleep quality and quantity. 

To date, the  Royal Cornwall Hospital's Pilot program has been so successful that it's been extended and the hospital system plans to extend it to other areas of the hospital as well. 

🤔Nurses, Would you ever consider supercommuting for higher pay, or is the distance too much of a trade-off?