Noise Pollution in the Hospital Environment Amelita B. Topasna, RN, BSN, MSN

NorthBay Medical Center, Fairfield, CA

Methods 2

First step was to create a NPT in each shift based on

three categories:

• Opinion Leaders with most nursing experience

• Change Champions who can influence others in

noise reduction strategies

• Core Change Group of staff to embrace change

The second step was to collect noise readings in

three shifts using a noise meter for the duration of

one to two minutes at five, ten and 15 minutes

intervals during day, evening and night shift.

The final step was to disseminate the pre and post-

implementation data during staff meetings.

Introduction 1

Unnecessary noise is the most cruel abuse of care

which can be inflicted on either the sick or the well

(Florence Nightingale, 1859 Notes on Nursing). Noise

exceeding a quiet level of 40-50 decibel (dB) is known

to cause emotional reactions, disturb sleep, delirium,

elevation in blood pressure, tachycardia and possibly

ischemic heart disease (Vehid, et al. 2011).

Noise pollution may cause environmental stress on

health affecting a patient’s fast recovery and healing

process. The objective of this EBP project was to

implement a Noise Patrol Team (NPT) in promoting a

quiet environment to increase patient safety,

satisfaction and to deliver safe nursing care.

Results

3

Noise readings gathered during pre-implementation data

in February 2015 revealed an average of 51.75 decibels,

which is above the 30-40 decibels recommended by the

International Noise Council and the World Health

Organization (WHO) (Vinodhkumaradithyaa et al., 2008).

Post –implementation data performed in April 2015

revealed an average of 48.75 decibels, which showed a

slight improvement compared to the reading collected at

baseline.

1. Dunbar, V. M., & Dolan, M. B. (1969). Florence Nightingale;

Notes on Nursing, what it is, and what it is not. New York,

New York; Dover Publications, INC.

2. Juang, D. F., Lee, C. H., Yang, T., & Chang, M. C. (2010). Noise

Pollution and its effects on medical care workers and patients in

hospitals. International Journal of Environmental Science of

Technology: (IJEST), 7(4), 705-716 Retrieved from

http://search.proquest.com/docview/762330592?accountid=358

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3. Konkani, A., & Oakley, B. (2012). Noise in hospital intensive

care units- a critical review of critical topic. Journal of Critical

Care, 27(5), e 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.jcrc.2011.09003

4. Vehid, S., Erquinöz, E., Yurtseven, E., Ċetin, E., Köksal, S., &

Kaypmaz, A. (2011). Noise level of hospital environment. TAF

Preventive Medicine Bulletin, 10(4), 409-414.

5. Vinodhkumaradithyaa, A., Srinivasan, M., Ananathalakshmi, I.,

Kumar, D. P., Jeba Rajasekhar, R. V., Daniel, T., &

Thirumalaikolundusubramanian, P. (2008). Noise levels in a

tertiary care hospital. Noise & Health, 10(38), 11-13.

References *

Plan

4

Educating the nursing and non medical staff on noise

reduction practices such as behavior modification,

implementing quiet time, dimming down the hallway

lights, reporting of malfunctioning equipment’s and

postings signboards to promote quiet environment are

some of the cost effective measures to reduce noise.

The Noise Patrol Team may help reinforce the

importance of quiet environment especially in the nurses

station and during hand off. The team will kindly ask the

staff and visitors to help in maintaining a quiet

environment.

Conclusion 5

The findings proved that educating the staff and

modifying their behavior regarding noise pollution

helped reduce noise in their work area. Nurses need

to constantly promote noise reduction and educate

each other regarding the negative effect of noise to

patients and themselves. This new innovation can

help increase patient safety and staff satisfaction.

Sleep is critical in a patient's recovery and healing.

Implementing a noise reduction work environment will

enhance tissue healing and faster rehabilitation. Quiet

work environments help to reduce staff burnout and

promote safe delivery of nursing care.