Effect of noise on tasks in operating theatres: a survey of the perceptions of healthcare staff

Padmakumar, Anand; Cohen, Odeya; Churton, A.; Groves, Jeremy; Mitchell, David; Brennan, Peter A.

doi:10.1016/j.bjoms.2016.10.011

Cited by 32 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Waterland et al, 11 in a study on noise exposure, found that increased noise during laparoscopy produced a significant increase in the stress response of the surgeon. Padmakumar et al 3 found that 61% of the OR staff reported that their stress levels increased with an increase in ambient noise. Wheelock et al found that acoustic distractions (telephone, mobile phones, pagers, radios, and external noises) were linked to higher levels of stress experienced by surgeons in the OR.…”

Section: And 723 Db(a)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Noise Levels in the Operating Room on the Stress Levels and Workload of the Operating Room Team

Arabacı

Önler

2021

Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The research was conducted to evaluate the noise levels and the effect of noise on the workload and stress levels of the operating room (OR) staff of a public hospital. Design: Descriptive and cross-sectional study. Methods: The data were obtained by measuring ambient noise during 403 orthopaedic, urological, and general surgeries on weekdays between July and October 2019. We measured the noise by dividing the surgery into three phases. These phases are as follows: from the entry of the patient, induction of anesthesia, and preparation of the surgical area until the start of the procedure (Phase I), from the incision until the completion of closure and dressing application (Phase II), from the completion of closure and dressing application until the exit of the patient (Phase III). Furthermore, the workload and stress levels of 45 OR staff who work in the general surgery, orthopaedics, and urology ORs were measured. Data were collected using a CA 834 noise measurement device, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form TX-I), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Task Load Index Workload Scale, and Information form related to surgery and ORs. Findings: The noise in the OR was higher than 35 dB, A-weighted [dB(A)], the limit proposed by the World Health Organization for hospitals. Phase I average noise level was 63.00 ± 3.50, Phase II average noise level was 62.94 ± 3.75, and Phase III average noise level was 63.67 ± 2.81. The mean anxiety score was 34.50 ± 6.09. The total workload level was found to be 56.91 ± 15.67. Anxiety scores and workload scores had positive weak and moderate correlations with noise levels (P < .01). Conclusions: The noise in the OR was high, and anxiety scores and workload scores correlated positively with noise levels.

show abstract

Section: And 723 Db(a)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Noise Levels in the Operating Room on the Stress Levels and Workload of the Operating Room Team

Arabacı

Önler

2021

Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Nonetheless, studies about effects of ICU noise on cognition and working performance are sparse. More studies addressed cognition and working performance in operating rooms (ORs): In a survey, a majority of participating surgical healthcare professionals reported that communication with colleagues and concentration is impaired by OR ambient sounds with errors being more likely [ 15 ]. In a study of Murthy et al mean short-term and working memory performance of 20 anesthesia residents was significantly lower when exposed to OR noise compared to when exposed to no ambient sounds [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of intensive care unit ambient sounds on healthcare professionals: results of an online survey and noise exposure in an experimental setting

Schmidt

Gerber

Zante

et al. 2020

ICMx

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Noise levels on intensive care units (ICUs) are typically elevated. While many studies reported negative effects of ICU ambient sounds on patients, only few investigated noise as a factor to influence well-being or performance in healthcare professionals. Methods An online survey in the German-speaking part of Switzerland was conducted to assess how ICU soundscapes are subjectively perceived by healthcare professionals. The questionnaire was answered by 348 participants. Additionally, effects of noise on working memory performance were evaluated in an experimental noise exposure setting. Twenty-six healthcare professionals and 27 healthy controls performed a 2-back object-location task while being exposed to either ICU or pink noise. Results Survey results demonstrate that a majority of participants was aware of heightened noise levels. Participants reported that mostly well-being, performance, and attention could be reduced, along with subjective annoyance and fatigue by ICU ambient sounds. Although no significant effects of noise exposure on working memory performance was observed, self-assessments revealed significantly higher stress levels, increased annoyance and distraction ratings as well as decreased confidence in performance after ICU-noise exposure. Conclusion Subjective assessments indicate that heightened noise levels on ICUs induce annoyance, with heightened stress levels, impaired well-being, and reduced performance being potential consequences. Empirical evidence with objective and physiological measures is warranted.

show abstract

“…10 Distractions increase the possibility of adverse patient outcomes (eg, incorrect counts 11 ; wrong procedure, side, or site) 12 by diverting a team member's attention from the current task, which could lead to omissions, prolonged procedure duration, 13,14 and mental lapses. 3,[15][16][17][18][19][20] Excessive noise in the health care environment may minimize the ability to communicate effectively, make it difficult to understand content, and contribute to miscommunication 15,21 that could potentially lead to an error. [22][23][24] The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that the level of continuous background noise in hospitals not exceed 45 decibels (dB) during the day.…”

Section: Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

AORN Position Statement on Managing Distractions and Noise During Perioperative Patient Care

2020

AORN Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Effect of noise on tasks in operating theatres: a survey of the perceptions of healthcare staff

Cited by 32 publications

References 17 publications

The Effect of Noise Levels in the Operating Room on the Stress Levels and Workload of the Operating Room Team

The Effect of Noise Levels in the Operating Room on the Stress Levels and Workload of the Operating Room Team

Effects of intensive care unit ambient sounds on healthcare professionals: results of an online survey and noise exposure in an experimental setting

AORN Position Statement on Managing Distractions and Noise During Perioperative Patient Care

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About