Authors

Blanca Muñoz Mahamud1, Ganna Raboshchuck2, Mª José Troyano Martos3, María Padró Hernández4, Ana Riverola de Veciana5

Position

¹Master en Investigación. Enfermera pediátrica. Departamento de Neonatología. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona)²Doctorando. Talp Research Center ETS de Telecomunicaciones. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya³Enfermera pediátrica. Coordinadora del Área de Neonatos. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona)⁴Enfermera pediátrica. Jefa del Área de Neonatos. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona)⁵Pediatra. Departamento de Neonatología. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (Barcelona)

Contact address

Blanca Muñoz Mahamud. Departamento de Neonatología. Hospital Sant Joan de Dèu. Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2. 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona).

Contact email: bmunozm@hsjdbcn.es

Abstract

Objective: to quantify and compare sound intensity in two NICU areas following the implementation of a noise reduction measures in one area.
Method: longitudinal, observational and prospective study, carried out during the second half of 2014 in the Neonatology Department of the HSJD (Hospital Sant Joan de Déu) comparing two areas: room A, 70 m2, for use by 10 full term infants and room B, 35 m2 for use by 4 premature infants in which noise reduction measures were implemented in 2007.
The noise measurements (dB) were performed simultaneously in the two rooms using wireless sensors. A measurement was obtained every 50 millisecond over 24 h on 4 non-consecutive days. 5 minute interval averages were used, obtaining 288 noise values per day and room, comparing the rooms at base to the average values by time zone.
Results: the fluctuations in variable continuous sound in each room were below 5 dB. The average noise levels were significantly higher in room A during the afternoon. The nighttime values were the lowest. In room B, the average noise levels were lower during the nighttime hours. In both rooms, the transitory sound peaks took place at night.
Conclusions: the modifications added to control noise in room B have had positive effects on the reduction of noise pollution. It is important to insist on ambient noise control measures, particularly in terms of staff behaviour, so as to achieve sound levels within internationally recommended ranges.

Keywords:

neonatal; neonatal intensive care; clinical ambient noise; neonatal noise pollution; premature infant

Versión en Español

Título:

Comparación del ruido ambiental en dos salas de cuidados intensivos neonatales de tercer nivel