Sound pressure levels in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Authors

  • Priscila Vendramini Peixoto Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Escola Paulista de Enfermagem
  • Marco Antônio Nabuco de Araújo Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Normalização e Qualidade Industrial
  • Tereza Yoshiko Kakehashi Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Escola Paulista de Enfermagem
  • Eliana Moreira Pinheiro Universidade Federal de São Paulo; Escola Paulista de Enfermagem

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342011000600005

Keywords:

Noise, Intensive Care Units, Neonatal, Neonatal nursing, Humanization of assistance

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to assess sound pressure level (SPL) in two rooms of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and to identify their sources. This quantitative-descriptive study was conducted in two rooms of a NICU of a University Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Three dosimeters were used to register SPL (total of 261 hours). A 48-hour register of noise sources was obtained. The results showed high SPL in both rooms. The greatest mean Leq were 71.0 dBA (room A) and 68.0 dBA (room B). Main noise sources in both units were: NICU hallway noise, traffic and conversation among professionals. The results indicate that SPLs in NICU rooms are higher than the levels recommended by regulatory agencies. A guideline was developed and an educational program was implemented as a means to reduce sound pressure levels.

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Published

2011-12-01

Issue

Vol. 45 No. 6 (2011)

Section

Original Article

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Peixoto, P. V., Araújo, M. A. N. de, Kakehashi, T. Y., & Pinheiro, E. M. (2011). Sound pressure levels in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Revista Da Escola De Enfermagem Da USP, 45(6), 1309-1314. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342011000600005