RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Reduction of noise in the neonatal intensive care unit using sound-activated noise meters
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition
JO Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP F515
OP F516
DO 10.1136/archdischild-2014-306490
VO 99
IS 6
A1 D Wang
A1 C Aubertin
A1 N Barrowman
A1 K Moreau
A1 S Dunn
A1 J Harrold
YR 2014
UL http://fn.bmj.com/content/99/6/F515.abstract
AB Objectives To determine if sound-activated noise meters providing direct audit and visual feedback can reduce sound levels in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Design/methods Sound levels (in dB) were compared between a 2-month period with noise meters present but without visual signal fluctuation and a subsequent 2 months with the noise meters providing direct audit and visual feedback. Results There was a significant increase in the percentage of time the sound level in the NICU was below 50 dB across all patient care areas (9.9%, 8.9% and 7.3%). This improvement was not observed in the desk area where there are no admitted patients. There was no change in the percentage of time the NICU was below 45 or 55 dB. Conclusions Sound-activated noise meters seem effective in reducing sound levels in patient care areas. Conversations may have moved to non-patient care areas preventing a similar change there.