Reduction of noise levels in intensive care units for infants: evaluation of an intervention program.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether educational information for nurses concerning causes of noise would decrease noise levels in an intensive care unit for term newborns and infants.


METHODS
Pretest and posttest.


METHODS
Children's surgical ward in a university hospital in southern Sweden.


METHODS
Fifty-two nurses in the surgical ward.


METHODS
Noise levels.


METHODS
An educational program consisting of a presentation of a videotape, presentation of the decibel values for various care activities, and a discussion of the problem.


RESULTS
Statistical analysis with a paired two-tailed t test showed significant differences to exist between measurements in a cot and an incubator before the intervention (p = 0.0001), and between cot measurements before and after the intervention program (p = 0.0007).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that through simple methods and without additional costs, and by making the staff aware of the problem, noise levels can be lowered considerably.
Elander
G
G
Care Research Unit, University of Lund, Sweden.
Hellström
G
G
D000328:Adult; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D017283:Neonatal Nursing; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015397:Program Evaluation