Noise levels in a general surgical ward: a descriptive study.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to measure and analyse levels of acoustic noise in a General Surgical Ward.


METHODS
Measurements were undertaken using the Norsonic 116 sound level meter (SLM) recording noise levels in the internationally agreed 'A' weighted scale. Noise level data and observational data as to the number of staff present were obtained and recorded at 5-min intervals over three consecutive days.


RESULTS
Results of noise level analysis indicated that mean noise level within this clinical area was 42.28 dB with acute spikes reaching 70 dB(A). The lowest noise level attained was that of 36 dB(A) during the period midnight to 7 a.m. Non-parametric testing, using Spearman's Rho (two-tailed), found a positive relationship between the number of staff present and the level of noise recorded, indicating that the presence of hospital personnel strongly influences the level of noise within this area.


CONCLUSIONS
Whilst the results of this may seem self-evident in many respects the problems of excessive noise production and the exposure to it for patients, hospital personnel and relatives alike continues unabated. What must be of concern is the psychophysiological effects excessive noise exposure has on individuals, for example, decreased wound healing, sleep deprivation and cardiovascular stimulation.
Christensen
Martin
M
Nursing Studies, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth BH1 3LT, UK. mchristensen@bournemouth.ac.uk
D004739:England; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000600:supply & distribution; D011571:Psychoacoustics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013018:Sound Spectrography / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013997:Time Factors