Simple, effective, and safe white noise machines are being distributed to hospitals around the country as an adjunct to sleep and providing privacy and comfort to veterans in hospital settings. Our collected data has demonstrated 20% increases in sleep hours and 97% patient satisfaction ratings for use. This innovation is replicating across multiple facilities as its impact continues to be validated.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The need for sleep has long been assumed to be important for recovery from injuries and sickness, and there is an emerging understanding of the restorative role of sleep in health and disease. Unfortunately, the hospital environment is often poorly conducive to sleep. Pain, anxiety, medication effects, medical interventions, environmental noise and light, and the acute illness itself all contribute to decreased quality and quantity of sleep in hospitalized patients. As a result, issues related to sleep and sleep disorders are important to inpatient care.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Our specific white noise machines were chosen for their portability, environmental friendliness, ease of use for veterans and staff members, safe design, and their affordability. They require no specialized training to implement, only a simple class providing general guidelines to inform staff. At the Asheville VA Medical Center, data has demonstrated 20% average improvements of objectively observed sleep hours of veterans who used white noise machines when compared to veterans who did not utilize the machines. Veterans interviewed post machine use have reported overwhelmingly positive outcomes, with 97% (averaged) positive patient satisfaction ratings.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    MARKETPLACE.VA.GOV   Article from VA NEWS