title: Striving for Optimum Noise-Decreasing Strategies in Critical Care: Initial Measurements and Observations.
abstract: To identify baseline sound levels, patterns of sound levels, and potential barriers and facilitators to sound level reduction. The study setting was neonatal and pediatric intensive care units in a tertiary care hospital. Participants were staff in both units and parents of currently hospitalized children or infants. One 24-hour sound measurements and one 4-hour sound measurement linked to observed sound events were conducted in each area of the center's neonatal intensive care unit. Two of each measurement type were conducted in the pediatric intensive care unit. Focus groups were conducted with parents and staff. Transcripts were analyzed with descriptive content analysis and themes were compared against results from quantitative measurements. Sound levels exceeded recommended standards at nearly every time point. The most common code was related to talking. Themes from focus groups included the critical care context and sound levels, effects of sound levels, and reducing sound levels-the way forward. Results are consistent with work conducted in other critical care environments. Staff and families realize that high sound levels can be a problem, but feel that the culture and context are not supportive of a quiet care space. High levels of ambient sound suggest that the largest changes in sound levels are likely to come from design and equipment purchase decisions. L10 and Lmax appear to be the best outcomes for measurement of behavioral interventions.
authors.affiliation: IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Messrs Disher and Sheppard, Drs Benoit, Jangaard, Morrison, and Campbell-Yeo, and Mss Inglis, Burgess, Ellsmere, Hewitt, and Bishop); and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (Mr Disher and Ms Benoit, Drs Jangaard, Morrison, and Campbell-Yeo).
authors.forename: Timothy C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Disher
authors.forename: Britney
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Benoit
authors.forename: Darlene
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Inglis
authors.forename: Stacy A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ellsmere
authors.forename: Brenda E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: Tanya M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Sheppard
authors.forename: Krista A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Jangaard
authors.forename: Gavin C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Marsha L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Campbell-Yeo
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D009623:Noise, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*