Noise levels and noise sources in acute care hospital wards

Abstract

Noise in hospital wards has the potential to slow down the recovery of patients. A comprehensive and systematic analysis of noise levels and noise sources has been carried out in two intensive care units and one high dependency unit in two Edinburgh hospitals (UK). Noise levels L Aeq,1min and L AFmax were measured at 1 minute intervals for 24 hour periods, and noise sources responsible for L AFmax were identified. High noise levels were found in the three wards, the lowest L Aeq,1min being measured in the modern ward tested, where an acoustic ceiling was present. A substantial number of noise sources have been observed and analysed statistically, many of which had never been identified by previous research. It was found that 34% of these are totally avoidable and 28% are partially avoidable. Noise control solutions are presented, with practical solutions affecting 48% of the noise sources, and staff education affecting 14% of the sources. Practical application: The analysis and classification of noise sources obtained has lead to the identification and presentation of practical noise control solutions, some of which can be implemented at the design stage. This is of direct relevance to building services engineers who play a role in the design of hospital wards, and can therefore use this information. It can also be noted that average and maximum noise levels measured in this study could form the basis for the development of noise guidelines in intensive care units and high dependency units, as current limits do not appear to be appropriate for such spaces.

Evaluating the Noise level at Qazvin University Hospital’s Intensive Care Units

“…Sound sources are various in ICU including staff speech, TV, medical equipment such as a ventilator, monitoring, suctioning, nebulizer, telephone, air conditioner and. (2,8,9). According to the one study, in order to avoid disrupting sleep and communication skills and stress reduction, the maximum pressure level in a patient's room should not exceed 40 dB.…”

“…Moderate noise level in day or night in the care environments has the annual growth rate of 38.0 and 42.0 dB A network in the 1960s (1). Average daily environmental equivalent sound level of 57 dB at the local hospital in 1960 has increased in 2005 to 72 dB peak sound levels of 90 -85 dB (1,2). A similar situation has been reported in night shifts and weekends so that the middle of the night sound level of 42 dB in 1960 reached to 60 dB in 2005 (1).…”

A Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming Model for Minimising Construction Site Noise Levels through Site Layout Optimisation

“…A number of studies have reported findings on disruptions to both patients and health care workers caused by high sound levels initiated within a hospital. High levels of noise around hospitals, where quiet operation theatres and accurate medical equipment are vital, may have a detrimental impact on the health of hospital administered patients [6]. Morrison et al [7] reported in their study that data analysed statistically indicated a high correlation between above-average noise levels within a hospital setting and an increase in the level of stress experienced by nurses.…”

School-reopening impact on traffic-induced noise level at different land uses: a case study

“…School-related traffic congestion in and around school sites is among the most important problems of the modern world caused by vehicles, including school transport services and parents' car, vehicles of school authorities (La Vigne 2007). Other factors such as physical infrastructure, street layout, and traffic signs and signals surrounding a school could make school-related traffic even worse (La Vigne 2007).…”

“…Other factors such as physical infrastructure, street layout, and traffic signs and signals surrounding a school could make school-related traffic even worse (La Vigne 2007). Most of the relevant studies focus on the impact of street noise pollution on students' learning functionality at schools, so that the impact of reopening of schools on noise pollution has totally been neglected.…”