Perceived noise in surgical wards and an intensive care area: an objective analysis.

Abstract

SummaryAn investigation of noise levels in a hospital ward, a cubicle off the ward, and an intensive therapy unit (ITU) showed that the noise levels in all three areas were higher than internationally recommended levels at all times of day. Loud noises above 70 dB(A) were common in all areas but especially the ITU. The noise pollution levels reached annoying values during the day in the ward and cubicle and during both the day and the night in the ITU. Equipment and conversations among the staff were the main causes of noise in the ITU.These noisy environments are unlikely to help patients recover. Although measures designed to eliminate noisy surfaces will help, making staff aware of the noise they create and the effects it has may be much more effective in reducing noise pollution.

Qualificação e quantificação da exposição sonora ambiental em uma unidade de terapia intensiva geral

“…No estudo de Mendoza-Sánchez et al 3 o nível de ruído encontrado oscilou entre 50 e 59 dB(A) no local que seria considerado moderadamente ruidoso; exceção a UTI, onde os níveis ultrapassaram os 59 dB(A), devido ao uso de diversos aparelhos como monitores, bombas de infusão contínua, equipamentos de ventilação mecânica, assim como alarmes e outras fontes de ruído.…”

“…Nossos achados em relação as aferições do período diurno foram superiores aos de Aitken 4 , que encontrou valores de L eq entre 50 a 60 dB(A) durante o dia; além de Bentley et al 3 , que verificaram média de 53 dB(A) em uma UTI de Londres; enquanto Murthy et al 21 obtiveram L eq = 77,32 dB(A).…”

“…Parece, todavia, que muito do ruído no hospital provém mais de dentro, do que de fora desse ambiente, sendo as principais causas de ruído em UTI os equipamentos e a conversação entre a equipe hospitalar [3][4][5] .…”

Noise Pollution on an Acute Surgical Ward

“…This study was conducted on a six-bedded bay of a 28-bedded surgical ward over 72 h. These levels are somewhat lower than ours and we should be cautious about directly comparing values due to differences in ward structure, positioning of the noise meter and ward activity. Both Christensen 3 and Bentley et al 4 suggested that conversations of patients and nurses are a major contributor to average noise levels on hospital wards. Whilst conversation was noted to be an important contributor to baseline noise levels in this study, peak noises were consistently attributable to other sources, such as bin lids slamming.…”

Afectación emocional asociada al ingreso en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos

“…Sin embargo, estos niveles suelen superarse con creces en las UCIs, llegando durante el día a valores de 70-80 dB y en algunos casos a 50-65 dB por la noche (Balogh, Kittinger, Benzer & Hackl, 1993;Bentley, Murphy & Dundley, 1977;Dyer, 1996;Meriläinen et al, 2010).…”