An intensive care unit (ICU) is an area designed for the treatment of the patients who are seriously ill and at the risk of death if not given special care. An intensive care unit is mainly made up of equipment and other hospital machines which are used to provide care for the patient. These patients require a quiet environment to support their recovery process. However, due to the current increase of noise in the pediatric intensive care unit, there have been growing concern and attention towards this trend. While noise has been said to cause significant stress to nurses, it has also been associated with negative impacts on the patients’ health outcome. Patients who are critically ill require an environment that will give them peace so that they can manage their illnesses. It is therefore important to have the level of noise controlled in healthcare facilities with PICU. Some literature has even suggested that noise leads to physiological responses by patients and, may cause conditions such as heart rates and sleep deprivation.
Despite the much emphasis that has been put on the need to reduce noise pollution in intensive care settings, several studies published show that the sound levels at the intensive care settings have continued to be louder than the level recommended by World Health Organization. This has called for the need to find better ways of addressing the problem. Many previous studies done have mainly focused on staff only as the main respondents in acknowledging the causes of noise and planning its reduction. However, this has not worked as noise continues to exist in the intensive care unit. A gap exists between the noise pollution in the healthcare settings and the kind of solution needed to address it. It is therefore important to research on the best ways to reduce noise in the PICU by giving it a broader view beyond just focusing on the hospital staff.
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References
Akansel, N., & Kaymakçi, Ş. (2008). Effects of intensive care unit noise on patients: a study on coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients. Journal of clinical nursing, 17(12), 1581-1590.
This article discusses the noise levels on specific locations in the intensive care units and the disturbance levels it has on the patients. The major causes of noise in the ICU may include running respirators, monitor alarms, and ringing phones. Studies have shown that such high-level noise in the ICU can result to stress to the patients. Any noise level that is beyond the level recommended by the WHO can slow down the healing process. It may also have some effects such as sleep disturbance for the patients who need to have enough rest.
This article is relevant to this research because it provides information on what causes noise pollution. Having this information will be useful in adding the thinking towards the solution. The article present primary source of information making it reliable and trustworthy.
Andrade, K. P., Oliveira, L. L. A. D., Souza, R. D. P., & Matos, I. M. D. (2016). Noise level measurement and its effects on hospital employees based on complaint reports. Revista CEFAC, 18(6), 1379-1388.
The authors of this article examine the effects that high levels of noise might have on the hospital staff and any possible solutions that might be adopted to solve the problem. High-level noise pollutions may pose a threat to the human health and well- being. Noise in the hospitals have always been increasing for the past few years, and the sources of such noise have been linked to hospital devices staff conversation. This may interfere with an individual’s peace and emotional health. According to WHO, high noise levels may interfere with one’s efficiency and life quality.
The article provides information about the causes of noise pollution in the healthcare setting and the effects it has on the hospital staff. Such information is useful in adding thinking to the research question.
Bailey, E., & Timmons, S. (2005). Noise levels in PICU: an evaluative study. Paediatric Nursing, 17(10), 22.
According to the authors, high levels of noise in the hospital environment can have negative impacts on the patients and staff which may result in increases in recovery time and stress. Some factors can lead to noise in the PICU. These may include monitor alarms, mechanical alarms, telephones, movement of equipment and pagers. These leads to high noise levels and cause detrimental effects to patients’ health. Staff conversations have also been associated with noise in the PICU. As a result of high-level noise, the patients may experience hearing problems, raised metabolism and increase in the oxygen consumption.
This article provides information such as sources of high-level noise in the PICU and the effects it may have on the patients and the healthcare staff. It is therefore useful in providing information that adds idea into finding the solution to the research question. Also, the authors relied on research making the information reliable.
Carvalho, W. B., Pedreira, M. L., & Aguiar, M. A. L. D. (2005). Noise level in a pediatric intensive care unit. Jornal de pediatria, 81(6), 495-498.
The authors focus on the effects of the noise level in the intensive care unit, especially for children. While admitted with critical illness, children are expected to have a quiet environment that can facilitate their recovery. Children who are critically ill face high risks of developing stress-related disorders and one of the major contribution of this is the PICU environment. The ever growing noise, especially in the urban centers, has had detrimental effects on the health outcome of the patients as well as the service delivered by the nurses.
This source is useful for this study because it leads to an understanding of the major causes of noise in the PICU as well as the detrimental impacts of such noise on the health outcome of ill children. Gaining this knowledge is critical to finding the best solution to the problem.
Darbyshire, J. L., & Young, J. D. (2013). An investigation of sound levels on intensive care units concerning the WHO guidelines. Critical Care, 17(5), R187.
The authors of this article examine the effects that high-level sounds have on the ICU patients and the WHO recommended sound levels. More than 30% of the patients in ICU may develop delirium or get confused as a result of high sound levels. Such patients experience longer recovery time and high death rates. WHO guidelines on the recommended noise levels require that the noise levels don’t exceed 35 dBA. However, most hospitals do not adhere to these standards thus causing negative effects on patients hence a quick solution is necessary. This article provides useful knowledge for this research by giving the WHO guidelines on the noise levels on the hospital. Such information is useful in helping find the answer to the research question. The information provided is reliable because it is collected from research.
De Lacerda Costa, G., de Lacerda, A. B. M., & Marques, J. (2013). Noise on the Hospital Setting: Impact on Nursing Professionals’ Health. Pearson.
The authors of this article examine the effects that high noise levels may have on the nursing profession. High noise levels subject nurses to physical, mental and psychological consequences which may result in stress, fatigue, and accidents at work. Report by WHO shows that noise can cause a disturbance at work, affect one’s sleep and interfere with effective communication. Other than the external noise, noise also present from the hospital ICU, surgical centers, and equipment rooms.
This article is important for this research because it provides knowledge on the possible causes of noise pollution and the effects it has on both the hospital staff and the patients. Such information is essential in developing critical thinking towards finding a solution to the problem. Furthermore, the article was based on research thus providing reliable information.
Hsu, T., Ryherd, E., Waye, K. P., & Ackerman, J. (2012). Noise pollution in hospitals: impact on patients. JCOM , 19(7), 301-9.
The authors of this article focus more on the impacts that noise have on the healthcare settings. They defined noise as unwanted sound or disturbance that occurs in an environment. The noise that occurs inside the house is referred to as background noise. In a healthcare setting, background noise mainly originates from air conditioning, conversions, moving equipment as well as alarm system. The noise can have various negative impacts on the recovery process of the patients. The deafening sound has been found to cause sleep disturbance especially to the patients who need to rest due to pain.
This article gives useful information concerning the effects of noise in the hospital setting. An understanding of the causes of loud noise in the hospitals can help in devising means to reduce these causes and as a result minimize the impacts on the patients.
Joseph, A., & Ulrich, R. (2007). Sound control for improved outcomes in healthcare settings. Concord, CA: Center for Health Design.
The authors of this article examine the different sound aspects and how they influence the patients as well as staff outcomes while at the same time identifying strategies that can be employed to create a peaceful and noise-free environment. According to Joseph and Ulrich, the background sound in most hospitals ranges from 57 dBA to 72 dBA which is extremely high in a healthcare setting.
The authors argue that more than three studies have shown that installing high-performance sound-absorbing ceiling can reduce the high sound levels and thus minimize the effects. They also note that having single-bed rooms can be useful in reducing noise.
This article is relevant and useful for this study because it offers an insight into things that can cause noise in the hospital and go ahead to provide suggested solutions. It is therefore useful in helping get the answer to the research question.
Kaur, H., Rohlik, G. M., Nemergut, M. E., & Tripathi, S. (2016). Comparison of staff and family perceptions of causes of noise pollution in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and suggested intervention strategies. Noise & health , 18(81), 78.
In this article, the authors start by defining noise as excessive and unwanted sound in the pediatric intensive care unit. The authors note that such high noise levels can have a major impact on both the patients’ recovery and sleep. When high-level sounds are produced in the environments that need to be conducive to effective healing, the recovery time is affected. In a study conducted, medical alarms were rated as the leading cause of noise at the PICU. Other causes that were also mentioned included medical equipment, staff conversations, pagers, ringing phones, and televisions, and radios.
The article is useful for this study because it expands knowledge on the major causes of noise in the PICU. By understanding the causes, it can lead to devising means to solve the problem.
Kent, W. D., Tan, A. K., Clarke, M. C., & Bardell, T. (2002). Excessive noise levels in the neonatal ICU: potential effects on auditory system development. Journal of Otolaryngology , 31(6).
The authors of this article examine the possible effects of noise on the health outcome of the neonates. Studies have suggested that neonatal auditory system may be vulnerable to disruption by high noise levels. Because neuronal differentiation continues at the postnatal periods, studies show that high-level noise may affect the normal development. Since noise levels in the ICU have been found to be higher than the recommended rates, it has greatly affected the neonatal development thus the need to control such noise.
This article gives information on the effects of noise on the neonatal development. While it does not address the research question, the information is useful in building the thinking towards the research question. The information from the article is also reliable because it was based on practical studies.
Kinstler, A., Vidonish, W. P., Wagner, M., Lin, L., Davis, K. G., Kotowski, S. E., & Daraiseh, N. M. (2015). Impact of noise on nurses in pediatric intensive care units. American Journal of Critical Care, 24(5), 377-384.
The authors of this article aimed at examining the noise levels and durations on the PICU and determining the sources of noise, effects it has on patients as well as possible strategies to combat the problem. High-level noise disturbs a hospital healing environment and negatively affects the health outcome and the recovery period of the patients . In a study conducted, the major source of noise was found to be equipment. Other causes of noise that were also identified include staff communications and care activities. These sources lead to high-level noise that is beyond what is recommended.
The article is useful for the study because it provides information that is important to the research question. Knowledge of sources of noise and suggestion of possible solutions are crucial information for this research. Furthermore, the authors relied on research thus making it a reliable source of information.
Kol, E., Aydın, P., & Dursun, O. (2015). The effectiveness of environmental strategies on noise reduction in a pediatric intensive care unit: Creation of single ‐ patient bedrooms and reducing noise sources. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing , 20(3), 210-217.
High noise levels is a substantial issue for both the patients and healthcare workers in hospitals. Due to advancement in technology, ICUs have been made congested with equipment, devices and other medical machines as well as the service providers. These have led to rapid noise increase in the ICUs which as a result affects the patients and nurses negatively. If the noise levels are higher than what is recommended by WHO, then the patients, especially children, get affected. The authors note in the article that having a single patient room is useful in controlling noise. Also, they note that reducing other sources of noise will help combat the problem.
This article provides information that leads to an understanding of the major causes of noise and possible measures that can be applied to solve the problem. It identifies the major sources of noise in the hospital and identifies suggestions to combat the problem
Konkani, A., Oakley, B., & Penprase, B. (2014). Reducing hospital ICU noise: a behavior-based approach. Journal of healthcare engineering , 5(2), 229-246.
The authors of this article focused on analyzing the major sources of noise in the intensive care setting and possible ways that can be used to solve these problems. According to Konkani, Oakley and Penprase, the conversations by the hospital staff and the medical equipment alarms are the major sources of noise in intensive care settings. Furthermore, noise can emerge from the system of the ventilation of the building, telephones, pagers, wheels of the beds carrying patients as well as opening and closing of windows and doors. Noise have serious negative effects on the physiological nature of the patients. It can lead to emotional stress, sleeplessness and headache which will have a detrimental outcome on the patients’ recovery.
This article is useful and has reliable information that can be useful for this research. By noting the major causes of noise pollution, the authors contribute greatly to understanding what measures can be taken to control such issues.
Litton, E., Elliott, R., Ferrier, J., & Webb, S. A. (2017). Quality sleep using earplugs in the intensive care unit: The QUIET pilot randomized controlled trial. Critical Care and Resuscitation, 19(2), 128.
The authors in this article note that there is a high rate of delirium in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. This is due to high noise levels which result in distress as well as high morbidity and mortality. Deprivation of sleep is another effect that high noise level has on the patients. However, studies have shown that earplugs can efficiently be used to reduce the impacts of such noise at low cost. This will be a better intervention to improve delirium and sleep.
This article describes the effects of high sound levels and provides a suggestion for the use of earplugs to lower such detrimental effects of large sound on patients. This information is useful for this study as it provides a direction towards finding a solution to the problem. Furthermore, the information is reliable.
Mazer, S. E. (2012). Creating a culture of safety: reducing hospital noise. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 46(5), 350-355.
The author of this article makes a close comparison of healthcare facilities between the 19th century and the 21st century shows an increase in the uncontrolled and unmanageable noise in the hospitals. Much noise can have detrimental effects on the patients and seemingly reduce their recovery time. The hospital staff are equally at the risks of being affected by high-level noise in the hospitals and thus the need to reduce this problem. The author argues that promoting awareness of the risks is the starting point for solving the problem. Everyone ought to know the risks and sources of noise before devising possible solutions.
The information in this article is useful as it provides guidelines and suggestion that guide in finding the answer to the research question in this research. The information on promoting awareness is essential for this research as it leads towards finding a solution,
Morrison, W. E., Haas, E. C., Shaffner, D. H., Garrett, E. S., & Fackler, J. C. (2003). Noise, stress, and annoyance in a pediatric intensive care unit. Critical care medicine , 31(1), 113-119.
The authors of this article examine the effects that noise in the hospitals has on the nurses and how the noise can be minimized. The recommended noise levels by World Health Organization and Environmental Protection Agency is 40-45 dB(A) during the day and 35 dB(A) at night. Any sound levels that go beyond these limits can have detrimental effects such as sleep disturbance, and very high sound levels can damage one’s hearing. They further note that extreme sound levels can cause stress and annoyance to the nurses.
This article is useful in giving the information concerning the effects of high noise levels in the healthcare settings. It gives more information that leads to an understanding of how detrimental it can be for a healthcare facility with PICU to have high noise levels beyond what is recommended by the WHO.
Park, M., Vos, P., Vlaskamp, B. N., Kohlrausch, A., & Oldenbeuving, A. W. (2015). The influence of APACHE II scores on the average noise level in an intensive care unit: an observational study. BMC anesthesiology, 15(1), 42.
The authors of this article argue that as a result of several patient care activities and numerous life supporting machines in the ICU together with monitor alarms, the noise levels in the hospitals have gone high. This high noise affects not only the comfort of the patient but also the health outcome. High noise levels have also been linked with the occurrence of delirium. Patients have continued to have long recovery time as a result of high noise levels that is beyond what is recommended. Chances of patients getting readmitted after sickness due to noise have also gone high, risking the lives of patients thus the need for a faster solution. This article is important to this research because it provides useful information that can help in devising appropriate solutions to the problem. The information is based on research and experiment making it a reliable source of information.
Pugh, R. J., Jones, C., & Griffiths, R. D. (2007). The impact of noise in the intensive care unit. In Intensive Care Medicine (pp. 942-949). Springer, New York, NY.
The authors of this article look at the effects that noise has on PICU and possible mechanisms to control it. They note that high noise levels than what is recommended by the WHO can result in hearing impairment, stress and disturbance to both the patients and hospital staff. The patients can undergo long recovery periods which negatively affect their health outcome. Reduction of noise can require modification of staff behavior in addition to the introduction of other measures. Educating staff on the negative impacts of noise can be a useful starting point to getting the solution.
This article provides suggestions to the possible solutions that can be applied to reduce noise pollution. While it does not directly answer the research question, it provides useful information for the study.
Stafford, A., Haverland, A., & Bridges, E. (2014). Noise in the ICU. AJN. The American Journal of Nursing, 114(5), 57-63.
Stafford, Haverland and Bridges noted that the noise levels in the PICU have gone much higher than the levels recommended by World Health Organization. The guidelines of WHO require that the noise level does not go beyond 30 dBA in the general hospitals and 35 dBA in the observation or treatment rooms. They say that any high-level sound has detrimental effects on the health outcome of the patients and hence need for a quick and permanent solution. In a study to determine the effects the high-level sound on the patients, the authors observed that low sound levels are beneficial to the patients because it increases the restorative periods and gives the patient enough time to sleep.
This article relied on thoroughly researched work and therefore gives a very reliable source of information. It identifies areas that need to be tackled to match the sound levels with the requirements by WHO.
Shoemark, H., Harcourt, E., Arnup, S. J., & Hunt, R. W. (2016). Characterising the ambient sound environment for infants in intensive care wards. Journal of pediatrics and child health, 52(4), 436-440.
The authors of this article aimed at characterizing the ambient sound levels on the intensive care units in hospitals to meet the current standards. They note that ambient sounds in the neonatal and pediatric intensive care units have gone beyond the required standards and this may have detrimental impacts on infants. The authors mention ventilator equipment as the main cause of high sounds. Noise can also emanate from equipment rooms, and such may have effects on patients.
This article is important for this study because it provides information on the causes of high sound levels in the infants’ intensive care unit. Such information is useful in forming an argument regarding the research question. The article is also reliable because the information is based on research.
References
Akansel, N., & Kaymakçi, Ş. (2008). Effects of intensive care unit noise on patients: a study on coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients . Journal of clinical nursing , 17(12), 1581-1590.
Andrade, K. P., Oliveira, L. L. A. D., Souza, R. D. P., & Matos, I. M. D. (2016). Noise level measurement and its effects on hospital employees based on complaint reports. Revista CEFAC, 18(6), 1379-1388.
Bailey, E., & Timmons, S. (2005). Noise levels in PICU: an evaluative study. Paediatric Nursing, 17(10), 22.
Carvalho, W. B., Pedreira, M. L., & Aguiar, M. A. L. D. (2005). Noise level in a pediatric intensive care unit. Jornal de pediatria, 81(6), 495-498.
Darbyshire, J. L., & Young, J. D. (2013). An investigation of sound levels on intensive care units concerning the WHO guidelines. Critical Care, 17(5), R187.
De Lacerda Costa, G., de Lacerda, A. B. M., & Marques, J. (2013). Noise on the Hospital Setting: Impact on Nursing Professionals’ Health. Pearson.
Hsu, T., Ryherd, E., Waye, K. P., & Ackerman, J. (2012). Noise pollution in hospitals: impact on patients. JCOM, 19(7), 301-9.
Joseph, A., & Ulrich, R. (2007). Sound control for improved outcomes in healthcare settings. Concord, CA: Center for Health Design.
Kaur, H., Rohlik, G. M., Nemergut, M. E., & Tripathi, S. (2016). Comparison of staff and family perceptions of causes of noise pollution in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and suggested intervention strategies. Noise & health, 18(81), 78.
Kent, W. D., Tan, A. K., Clarke, M. C., & Bardell, T. (2002). Excessive noise levels in the neonatal ICU: potential effects on auditory system development. Journal of Otolaryngology, 31(6).
Kinstler, A., Vidonish, W. P., Wagner, M., Lin, L., Davis, K. G., Kotowski, S. E., & Daraiseh, N. M. (2015). Impact of noise on nurses in pediatric intensive care units. American Journal of Critical Care, 24(5), 377-384.
Kol, E., Aydın, P., & Dursun, O. (2015). The effectiveness of environmental strategies on noise reduction in a pediatric intensive care unit: Creation of single ‐ patient bedrooms and reducing noise sources. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing , 20(3), 210-217
Konkani, A., Oakley, B., & Penprase, B. (2014). Reducing hospital ICU noise: a behavior-based approach. Journal of healthcare engineering, 5(2), 229-246.
Litton, E., Elliott, R., Ferrier, J., & Webb, S. A. (2017). Quality sleep using earplugs in the intensive care unit: The QUIET pilot randomized controlled trial. Critical Care and Resuscitation, 19(2), 128.
Mazer, S. E. (2012). Creating a culture of safety: reducing hospital noise . Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 46(5), 350-355.
Morrison, W. E., Haas, E. C., Shaffner, D. H., Garrett, E. S., & Fackler, J. C. (2003). Noise, stress, and annoyance in a pediatric intensive care unit. Critical care medicine , 31(1), 113-119.
Park, M., Vos, P., Vlaskamp, B. N., Kohlrausch, A., & Oldenbeuving, A. W. (2015). The influence of APACHE II scores on the average noise level in an intensive care unit: an observational study. BMC anesthesiology , 15(1), 42.
Pugh, R. J., Jones, C., & Griffiths, R. D. (2007). The impact of noise in the intensive care unit. In Intensive Care Medicine (pp. 942-949). Springer, New York, NY.
Shoemark, H., Harcourt, E., Arnup, S. J., & Hunt, R. W. (2016). Characterising the ambient sound environment for infants in intensive care wards. Journal of pediatrics and child health, 52(4), 436-440
Stafford, A., Haverland, A., & Bridges, E. (2014). Noise in the ICU. AJN. The American Journal of Nursing , 114(5), 57-63.
