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.
OBJECTIVE
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).


METHODS
Prospectively designed observational study.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Light and sound were both significantly reduced in the BNICU. Care in the BNICU was associated with improved physiological parameters.
Stevens
D C
DC
1 Sanford Children's Hospital and Speciality Clinic, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5039, USA. stevede@sanfordhealth.org
Akram Khan
M
M
Munson
D P
DP
Reid
E J
EJ
Helseth
C C
CC
Buggy
J
J
D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008029:Lighting; D009622:Noise; D009725:Nurseries, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D010362:Patients' Rooms / Q000458:organization & administration*