Authors

Carme Porcar Castell1, Patricia Tomás Cantos2, Mercè Badia Oliach3, Tamara Melero Rodríguez4,Lluïsa Martí Esparza5, Silvia Vallverdú Galera6, José Luis Martínez Rivas7, Elena Virumbrales Palencia8

Position

1Máster en Investigación de Ciencias de Enfermería. Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus. Tarragona (España)2Máster en Investigación de Ciencias de Enfermería. Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus. Tarragona (España)3Postgrado Cuidados Paliativos. Medicina Interna. Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus. Tarragona (España)4Postgrado en Atención prehospitalaria Urgente. Cirugía General. Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus. Tarragona (España)5Enfermera. Hospitalización. Medicina Interna. Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus. Tarragona (España)6Técnico Especialista (Administración). Departamento de Planificación de Enfermería. Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus. Tarragona (España)7Especialidad Enfermería del Trabajo. Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus. Tarragona (España)8Postgrado en Cuidados Intensivos. Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus. Tarragona (España)

Contact address

Carme Porcar Castell. Departamento de Enfermería. Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus. Avenida del Doctor Josep Laporte, 2. 43204 Reus, Tarragona

Contact email: mcarmen.porcar@salutsantjoan.cat

Abstract

Emergency Units, Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and Neonatal Units present high levels of noise which have a negative impact on the quality of sleep and quality of life of users. Noise measured in decibels (dBs) is usually higher than that recommended by agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), particularly during the night, where rest is important for health recovery in patients. The Hospital Universitario Sant Joan de Reus (Tarragona) implemented semaphores for noise detection in its Critical Care Units, as a method to measure noise and a system to create awareness, both in staff and users, about the need to reduce noise. The objective of this article is to make public the experience conducted in specific units to improve acoustic quality, in order to assess the effect of implementing semaphores for continuous detection of noise. Sixty (60) measurements (dBs) were taken during 15 days from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m., two months before and two months after implementing the semaphores for noise detection. The mean measures obtained were: 52.23 dBs in the Emergency Unit, 49.93 dBs in the Neonatal Unit, and 52 dBs in the ICU. After implementing the semaphores, a slight reduction in acoustic pollution was observed in two of the three areas assessed, with a significant difference in the Neonatal Unit. Given these results, it would be convenient to implement and maintain measures for awareness and permanent noise control. It is a priority to establish strategies of action in order to reduce the noise and achieve silence at night in Critical Care Units.

Keywords:

noise; neonatal intensive care units; critical care; noise pollution

Versión en Español

Título:

Experiencia sobre la reducción acústica nocturna en Unidades de Cuidados Críticos y Urgencias