title: Characterizing noise and perceived work environment in a neurological intensive care unit.
abstract: The hospital sound environment is complex. Alarms, medical equipment, activities, and ventilation generate noise that may present occupational problems as well as hinder recovery among patients. In this study, sound measurements and occupant evaluations were conducted in a neurological intensive care unit. Staff completed questionnaires regarding psychological and physiological reactions to the sound environment. A-weighted equivalent, minimum, and maximum (L(Aeq),L(AFMin),L(AFMax)) and C-weighted peak (L(CPeak)) sound pressure levels were measured over five days at patient and staff locations. Acoustical descriptors that may be explored further were investigated, including level distributions, restorative periods, and spectral content. Measurements near the patients showed average L(Aeq) values of 53-58 dB. The mean length of restorative periods (L(Aeq) below 50 dB for more than 5 min) was 9 and 13 min for day and night, respectively. Ninety percent of the time, the L(AFMax) levels exceeded 50 dB and L(CPeak) exceeded 70 dB. Dosimeters worn by the staff revealed higher noise levels. Personnel perceived the noise as contributing to stress symptoms. Compared to the majority of previous studies, this study provides a more thorough description of intensive care noise and aids in understanding how the sound environment may be disruptive to occupants.
authors.affiliation: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community, Göteborg University, Box 414, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. eryherd@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Erica E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Ryherd
authors.forename: Kerstin Persson
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Waye
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ljungkvist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D004868:Equipment Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008144:Loudness Perception; D008297:Male; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009462:Neurology; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010362:Patients' Rooms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011571:Psychoacoustics; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors