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Sound and Light Levels Are Similarly Disruptive in ICU and non‐ICU Wards
Author(s) -
Jaiswal Stuti J.,
Garcia Solana,
Owens Robert L.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of hospital medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.128
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1553-5606
pISSN - 1553-5592
DOI - 10.12788/jhm.2826
Subject(s) - medicine , decibel , evening , intensive care unit , emergency medicine , sound (geography) , intensive care , observational study , morning , ambient noise level , anesthesia , audiology , intensive care medicine , acoustics , physics , astronomy
BACKGROUND Hospitalized patients frequently report poor sleep, partly due to the inpatient environment. In‐hospital sound and light levels are not well described on non‐intensive care unit (non‐ICU) wards. Although non‐ICU wards may have lower average and peak noise levels, sound level changes (SLCs), which are important in disrupting sleep, may still be a substantial problem. OBJECTIVE To compare ambient sound and light levels, including SLCs, in ICU and non‐ICU environments. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING Tertiary‐care hospital. MEASUREMENTS Sound measurements of 0.5 Hz were analyzed to provide average hourly sound levels, sound peaks, and SLCs ≥17.5 decibels (dB). For light data, measurements taken at 2‐minute intervals provided average and maximum light levels. RESULTS The ICU rooms were louder than non‐ICU wards; hourly averages ranged from 56.1 ± 1.3 dB to 60.3 ± 1.7 dB in the ICU, 47.3 ± 3.7 dB to 55.1 ± 3.7 dB on the telemetry floor, and 44.6 ± 2.1 dB to 53.7 ± 3.6 dB on the general ward. However, SLCs ≥ 17.5 dB were not statistically different (ICU, 203.9 ± 28.8 times; non‐ICU, 270.9 ± 39.5; P = 0.11). In both ICU and non‐ICU wards, average daytime light levels were <250 lux, and peak light levels occurred in the afternoon and early evening. CONCLUSIONS Quieter, non‐ICU wards have as many SLCs as ICUs do, which has implications for quality improvement measurements. Efforts to further reduce average noise levels might be counterproductive. Light levels in the hospital (ICU and non‐ICU) may not be optimal for maintenance of a normal circadian rhythm for most people.