The impact of architectural design upon the environmental sound and light exposure of neonates who require intensive care: an evaluation of the Boekelheide Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the differences in environmental sound, illumination and physiological parameters in the Boekelheide Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (BNICU), which was designed to comply with current recommendations and standards, as compared with a conventional neonatal intensive care unit (CNICU).Study Design: Prospectively designed observational study.Result: Median sound levels in the unoccupied BNICU (37.6 dBA) were lower than the CNICU (42.1 dBA, P<0.001). Median levels of minimum (6.4 vs 48.4 lux, P<0.05) and maximum illumination (357 vs 402 lux, P<0.05) were lower in the BNICU. A group of six neonates delivered at 32 weeks gestation showed significantly less periodic breathing (14 vs 21%) and awake time (17.6 vs 29.3%) in the BNICU as compared to the CNICU.Conclusion: Light and sound were both significantly reduced in the BNICU. Care in the BNICU was associated with improved physiological parameters.

Neonatal intensive care nursery staff perceive enhanced workplace quality with the single-family room design

“…Detailed information regarding these facilities is available elsewhere. 23,24 Methods The hypothesis of this study was that NICU staff members express more favorable perceptions of working conditions and care provided in the SFR compared with the OPBY facility, as assessed by the NICU workplace quality perception questionnaire.…”

“…Individual rooms have three banks of indirect overhead lighting, which provide three levels of illumination, which complies with current recommendations. 23 Sound deadening materials were used for floor, wall, ceiling and window coverings so that ambient sound levels were reduced to less than the recommended 45 dBA. 18,23 As in the OPBY NICU, visiting hours are unlimited for parents in the SFR NICU.…”

“…23 Sound deadening materials were used for floor, wall, ceiling and window coverings so that ambient sound levels were reduced to less than the recommended 45 dBA. 18,23 As in the OPBY NICU, visiting hours are unlimited for parents in the SFR NICU. Rooming-in, kangaroo care and breastfeeding may occur at any time of the day.…”

The impact of a noise reduction quality improvement project upon sound levels in the open-unit-design neonatal intensive care unit

“…Stevens 35 demonstrated the acoustic benefits of single-room unit design in the unoccupied NICU. However, their redesigned NICU room, with the addition of running equipment (nasal continuous positive pressure ventilation and high-frequency oscillator) resulted in increased sound levels, with 24-h L eq measurements of 55 to 57 dBA within their occupied newly constructed NICU.…”

“…[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]35 All five centers collaborating in the NICQ 26 remains an elusive goal. All five centers purchased the Larsen-Davis dosimeter, but only TCH and Benefis were able to coordinate an ongoing program of consistent 24-h measurements to obtain data that continued through the period of quality improvement initiatives.…”