title: [Sound pressure levels in the neonatal intensive care unit].
abstract: The objectives of the study were to assess sound pressure level (SPL) in two rooms of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to identify their sources. This quantitative-descriptive study was conducted in two rooms of a NICU of a University Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Three dosimeters were used to register SPL (total of 261 hours). A 48-hour register of noise sources was obtained. The results showed high SPL in both rooms. The greatest mean Leq were 71.0 dBA (room A) and 68.0 dBA (room B). Main noise sources in both units were: NICU hallway noise, traffic and conversation among professionals. The results indicate that SPLs in NICU rooms are higher than the levels recommended by regulatory agencies. A guideline was developed and an educational program was implemented as a means to reduce sound pressure levels.
authors.affiliation: Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. pricalindinha_7@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Priscila Vendramini
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Peixoto
authors.forename: Marco Antônio Nabuco
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Araújo
authors.forename: Tereza Yoshiko
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Kakehashi
authors.forename: Eliana Moreira
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
mesh_terms: D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D009622:Noise