Ministry of Health Issues Recommendations for "Quiet Hours": Set Mobile Phone and Alarm Sounds to the Lowest Level

- Reduce noise from carts and equipment, and close doors and cabinets quietly.

- Hand over shifts in a low voice, as far away from patient rooms as possible.

- Consolidate non-urgent procedures into a single visit whenever possible.

The Ministry of Health announced recommendations directed at medical and nursing staff and all workers, coinciding with the implementation of the “Quiet Hours” initiative within wards. These hours run daily from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, under the slogan: “Patient rest first… a quieter therapeutic environment that supports recovery.”

The Ministry issued a number of recommendations and guidelines, the most prominent of which include lowering one’s voice during conversations, minimizing side conversations and unnecessary discussions in corridors, nursing stations, and near patient rooms, while avoiding the use of public voice announcements except when necessary or for cases related to patient safety.

The recommendations also include setting the volume of mobile phones and non-critical alert devices to the lowest appropriate level, reducing noise generated by carts and equipment, closing doors and cabinets quietly, and conducting shift handovers in a low voice and as far from patient rooms as possible.

To avoid disturbing patients during their rest period, the Ministry recommended consolidating non-urgent procedures into a single visit whenever possible, such as routine measurements, examinations, and administering non-urgent medications. Additionally, intravenous fluids, tube feeding, and medical devices should be reviewed before the quiet hours begin, thereby reducing the need for unnecessary interventions during the night.

The recommendations also stipulate dimming the lighting in corridors and workstations to a safe and appropriate level, and turning off unnecessary lighting inside patient rooms after obtaining their consent or that of their companions. Non-urgent examinations and procedures should be postponed outside the quiet hours, provided this does not conflict with the treatment plan.

The Ministry emphasized that all staff working within the wards, including those in cleaning, nutrition, maintenance, transport, and support services, are committed to minimizing unnecessary noise and movement during quiet hours. Non-urgent tasks should be postponed whenever possible, creating a quieter therapeutic environment that supports patient recovery without compromising their safety.