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Noise levels in veterinary operating rooms and factors that contribute to their variations
Author(s) -
Dornbusch Josephine,
Boston Sarah,
Colee James
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/vsu.12922
Subject(s) - decibel , medicine , noise (video) , veterinary medicine , noise level , audiology , hearing loss , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics)
Objective To quantify noise levels in veterinary operating rooms (OR) and evaluate factors affecting them. Study design Pilot study. Sample population Seventy‐seven small‐animal surgical procedures at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Small Animal Hospital. Methods A decibel‐measuring device was used to measure mean A‐weighted, median, and maximum decibel readings within the OR. The number of people present in the OR, the number of people scrubbed in, the surgery service, and whether or not music was playing were recorded. Results The mean, median, and maximum decibel levels for all surgeries were 71.7 A‐weighted decibels [dB(A)], 69.4 dB(A), and 90.3 dB(A), respectively. Neurologic surgeries were associated with higher noise levels. OR with music playing were louder than those without music ( P < .001). None of the other factors evaluated were associated with noise levels. Conclusion Neurological surgeries and playing music in the OR were associated with higher noise levels. The average noise levels in our veterinary OR were high and exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Clinical significance This is the first published study to quantify noise levels in a veterinary OR. Noise levels that exceed WHO recommended levels warrant additional investigation for potential side effects on surgical patients and OR staff.