The Impact of Operating Room Noise Upon Communication During Percutaneous Nephrostolithotomy

Abstract

Noise pollution decreases effective intraoperative communication during PCNL. It is important for surgeons to understand the effect noise can have on attempted communication to prevent errors due to miscommunication. In addition, methods to decrease intraoperative noise pollution and improve communication in the OR could improve patient safety and outcomes.

Noise levels in veterinary operating rooms and factors that contribute to their variations

“…The authors speculate that the common use of power tools in neurologic surgeries increases decibel levels in veterinary surgery as well. The second factor identified that increased noise in the OR consisted of playing music, confirming published reports on noise in human OR . Ullmann et al reported that music is played in as many as 63% of human OR.…”

“…The mean noise levels measured in this study were 71.7 dB(A), exceeding the WHO recommendations for noise levels in a hospital workplace [55 dB(A)] . The logarithmic nature of decibels means that 3‐dB and 10‐dB elevations correspond to a 2‐fold and a 10‐fold increase in perceived noise, respectively . Therefore, even small changes in decibel levels can lead not only to statistically significant differences but also to noise levels that are perceivably different to the human ear.…”

“…Neurologic surgeries in our hospital were associated with higher median and mean decibel levels compared with other surgery services. The human literature commonly identifies orthopedic surgeries among the louder procedures because of the use of power tools . Surgical tools used in orthopedic and neurologic surgeries in this study included a Synthes (Oberdorf, Switzerland) Colibri drill (with varying attachments), Hall (Largo, Florida) Surgairtome, and Hall mini driver.…”

“…Increased noise levels in any workplace, including an OR, have been found to contribute to miscommunication . To reach 90% accuracy of effective oral communication, a difference of 10‐15 dB(A) between the speaker's voice and the ambient noise levels must be achieved .…”

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that noise levels within a workplace (which includes OR) do not exceed 55 decibels . We hypothesized that the noise levels in our OR would surpass these recommendations.…”