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Learning Objective 1: 1) Identify common sources of noise in a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Learning Objective 2: 2) Describe parental and staff perceptions of noise in a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care unit.
Noise is part of our environment but when it reaches high decibel (dB) levels it can have adverse effects (Darcy, Hancock, & Ware, 2008). High decibel levels create stress responses and poor outcomes for hospitalized infants (Etzel, & Balk, 1999). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) established criteria for noise in the NICU (White, 2007), which include baseline, hourly, and transient noise levels. Unfortunately studies show that high decibel noise levels remain in hospitals and critical care settings, including neonatal intensive care units (NICU) (Lasky, & Williams, 2009; Darcy, & Hancock, 2008; McLaren, & Maxwell-Armstrong, 2008).
Aims: 1) Describe the current baseline decibel levels of noise in the NICU; 2) Identify variables responsible for noise decibel levels; 3) Evaluate staff/parent perceptions of noise; 4) Identify variables responsible for noise decibel level variability in the NICU.
Methods: Design: Descriptive exploratory study. Setting: Urban, 45 bed, level three NICU. Procedures: Data collected for two months. Noise measured by obtaining decibel readings using the Quest Model 2900 sound meter. Readings taken for15 minutes at 4 hourly intervals. Noise levels recorded as low, peak and average. To ascertain perception of noise, surveys conducted with NICU personnel and parents of infants in the NICU.
Results: Readings taken on 19 days in different areas of the NICU. Low dB readings ranged from 53 - 66 dB. High dB readings ranged from 60 -80. Overall average readings ranged from 57.2 -70.2 dB. Fifty-three surveys returned and indicate parents and nurses most bothered by babies crying and staff talking while respiratory therapists are most bothered by alarms.
Implications for Nursing:
Noise levels in the NICU typically exceed the recommended criteria. Both parents and staff are bothered by the excess noise. Results from further analyses will help guide targeted quality improvement strategies to minimize noise decibel levels.
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