José Manuel Ornelas-Aguirre1, Olivia Zárate-Coronado2, Fabiola Gaxiola-González3, Venigna Neyoy-Sombra3. 1. División de Investigación en Salud, Hospital de Especialidades No. 2, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Centro Médico Nacional del Noroeste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, ciudad Obregón, Sonora, México; Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Sonora, Campus Cajéme, Obregón, Sonora, México. Electronic address: jose.ornelas@cajeme.uson.mx. 2. Dirección de enfermería, Hospital de Especialidades No. 2, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Centro Médico Nacional del Noroeste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Obregón, Sonora, México. 3. Servicio de urgencias y terapia intensiva, Hospital de Especialidades No. 2, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad, Centro Médico Nacional del Noroeste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Obregón, Sonora, México.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has established a maximum noise level of 40 decibels (dB) for an intensive care unit. The aim of this study was to compare the noise levels in 2 different intensive care units at a tertiary care centre. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design study, an analysis was made of the maximum noise level was within the intensive coronary care unit and intensive care unit using a digital meter. A measurement was made in 4 different points of each room, with 5minute intervals, for a period of 60minutes 7:30, 14:30, and 20:30. The means of the observations were compared with descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U. An analysis with Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to the mean noise level. RESULTS: The noise observed in the intensive care unit had a mean of 64.77±3.33dB (P=.08), which was similar to that in the intensive coronary care unit, with a mean of 60.20±1.58dB (P=.129). Around 25% or more of the measurements exceeded the level recommended by the WHO by up to 20 points. CONCLUSIONS: Noise levels measured in intensive care wards exceed the maximum recommended level for a hospital. It is necessary to design and implement actions for greater participation of health personnel in the reduction of environmental noise.
INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has established a maximum noise level of 40 decibels (dB) for an intensive care unit. The aim of this study was to compare the noise levels in 2 different intensive care units at a tertiary care centre. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design study, an analysis was made of the maximum noise level was within the intensive coronary care unit and intensive care unit using a digital meter. A measurement was made in 4 different points of each room, with 5minute intervals, for a period of 60minutes 7:30, 14:30, and 20:30. The means of the observations were compared with descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U. An analysis with Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to the mean noise level. RESULTS: The noise observed in the intensive care unit had a mean of 64.77±3.33dB (P=.08), which was similar to that in the intensive coronary care unit, with a mean of 60.20±1.58dB (P=.129). Around 25% or more of the measurements exceeded the level recommended by the WHO by up to 20 points. CONCLUSIONS: Noise levels measured in intensive care wards exceed the maximum recommended level for a hospital. It is necessary to design and implement actions for greater participation of health personnel in the reduction of environmental noise.
Authors: Roberto Carlos Miranda-Ackerman; Mariana Lira-Trujillo; Alma Carolina Gollaz-Cervantez; Ana Olivia Cortés-Flores; Carlos José Zuloaga-Fernández Del Valle; Luis Alberto García-González; Gilberto Morgan-Villela; Francisco José Barbosa-Camacho; Kevin Josue Pintor-Belmontes; Bertha Georgina Guzmán-Ramírez; Aldo Bernal-Hernández; Clotilde Fuentes-Orozco; Alejandro González-Ojeda Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2020-07-09 Impact factor: 2.655