Reducing Hospital ICU Noise: A Behavior‐Based Approach

Abstract

Noise in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is gaining increasing attention as a significant source of stress and fatigue for nursing staff. Extensive research indicates that hospital noise also has negative impact on patients. The objective of this study was to analyze noise variations as experienced by both nursing staff and patients, to gain a better understanding of noise levels and frequencies observed in ICU settings over extended (week-long) durations, and to implement a low cost behavior modification program to reduce noise. The results of our study indicate that behavioral modification alone is not adequate to control excessive noise. There is a need for further research involving the supportive involvement by clinicians, ICU staff, along with effective medical device alarm management, and continuous process improvement methods.

Safe patient monitoring is challenging but still feasible in a neonatal intensive care unit with single family rooms

“…Patient monitor alarms also made the prominent number one position in a list, established by the internationally recognised Emergency Care Research Institute (), to identify risks with medical technology. The increasing number of devices that generate alarms creates an unsafe and noisy environment that results in alarm fatigue in healthcare providers . The problem of alarm fatigue is related to the dilemma of setting narrow versus wide threshold values.…”

Alterações mentais em trabalhadores de unidades de terapia intensiva

“…-Estresse (13,16,(18)(19)(22)(23)27,30,32) : pode provocar tensão, desequilíbrio biopsicossocial, sobrecargas e situações desconfortáveis; consegue reduzir as capacidades físicas e mentais (49) e levar ao adoecimento, além de influenciar, de forma negativa, a assistência prestada (50)(51) pelos trabalhadores das UTI aos pacientes críticos. Estresse, astenia, exaustões físicas e emocionais podem comprometer o trabalho, o ciclo familiar e de amizades, diminuindo a qualidade de vida (52) .…”

“…-Depressão, Astenia, Fadiga e Sobrecarga Mental (16,(19)(20)(21)23,29,34,45) : a sobrecarga resulta em tensão, irritabilidade, estresse, depressão, fadiga e atritos entre a equipe de saúde, que podem levar à queda no interesse, rendimento e produtividade (58) . Também favorece a fadiga, Burnout e absenteismos (45) .Intensivistas podem apresentar angústia e sofrimento (59) .…”

Ambulatory Voice Biofeedback: Relative Frequency and Summary Feedback Effects on Performance and Retention of Reduced Vocal Intensity in the Daily Lives of Participants With Normal Voices

“…Both the World Health Organization and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations provide recommendations on environmental noise levels in acute care units because high environmental noise is associated with negative physical and psychological effects for patients (Mazer, 2006(Mazer, , 2012Nightingale, 1860;World Health Organization, 2009). The most controllable aspect of environmental noise is how loud nurses talk (Kahn et al, 1998), but modifying the volume of nursing conversations has been difficult and often unsuccessful (Kol, Demircan, Erdoğan, Gencer, & Erengin, 2015;Konkani, Oakley, & Penprase, 2014;Qutub & El-Said, 2009;TaylorFord, Catlin, LaPlante, & Weinke, 2008). The normal status of all participants was verified via video-stroboscopic laryngeal examination after passing an initial interview demonstrating a history without vocal difficulties, normal auditory-perceptual voice quality as judged by a speechlanguage pathologist, and no reported history of hearing impairment.…”