WHITE ROCK, B.C. – A new sleep hygiene initiative has launched in Peace Arch Hospital’s Emergency Department to help patients rest and heal. Supported by a Peace Arch Hospital & Fraser Health Community Grant from Peace Arch Hospital + Community Health Foundation (PAHCHF), the project includes educational signage, patient sleep kits and other measures designed to improve sleep quality for patients during their hospital stay.

Quality sleep is a critical part of the healing process, however, during periods of high patient volumes and overcrowding in our ER, some patients may spend a short period of time in hallway care spaces before being moved elsewhere in the hospital. Creating opportunities for rest during this time is essential to supporting their recovery.

To address this need, PAHCHF partnered with Dr. Amir Behboudi, an Emergency Physician at PAH, who had an idea to develop a sleep hygiene project in our ER to create a quieter, healing environment for patients.

A mural installed along an ER hallway encourages visitors, patients, and staff to keep noise levels low by displaying reminders in multiple languages. Colourful cloud illustrations throughout the mural highlight the many benefits of sleep, including faster recovery, improved cognitive function, stronger immune support and more. These messages reinforce the importance of creating a calm, more restorative space for patients to heal.

This project also provides patients with sleep kits that include noise-cancelling headphones and eye masks to help minimize noise and light distractions while resting. Heated blankets and bed-position adjustments are offered to improve comfort, while medical staff support quiet hours between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. whenever possible to encourage uninterrupted sleep.

“We’re so grateful to our community of donors for helping make this project a reality,” says Stephanie Beck, CEO of PAHCHF. “By supporting simple but meaningful changes in our hospital to promote rest and recovery, our donors are healing create a more comfortable healing environment for all patients that need care in our ER. This project is already making a positive impact, and we know it will continue to help patients heal and get back home sooner.”

At PAHCHF, we are proud to support initiatives that enhance the patient experience and contribute to better health outcomes.

To learn more about this project, please visit pahfoundation.ca/sleep.