Evaluation of sound pressure levels in a pediatric intensive care unit

Abstract

This study objectives were to measure the sound pressure levels found in the pediatric intensive care unit in a federal institution of Rio de Janeiro; to verify differences in noise levels during the morning and afternoon; to confront the sound pressure levels found against acceptable levels according to national and international noise organizations; to count the quantity of alarms triggered by each type of medical care equipment selected (multiparameter monitor, mechanical ventilator and infusion pump); to verify the relevance in the scientific world about pediatric intensive care unit noise through bibliometrics and to address the trinomial care technology - noise - implications on care. It’s an observational, exploratory, quantitative study, organized in three steps: Parameter collection and decibel meter calibration - data were based on the study by Salú, et al (2015) ; Data collection: 40 hours of discontinued observation (8am to 16pm) on different days for a period two months using two decibel meters; Data processing: An Excel spreadsheet was created for the database and data analysis was performed with the help of Microsoft Office Excel 2010 and Program R, organized into graphs and tables. 61% of the alarms corresponded to the mechanical ventilator; Bed E had the lowest standard deviation (SD = 2.945) and the highest median (69.5dBA). Even by removing the E bed from the analysis, there is a significant difference (p <0.001) between sound pressure levels. The median of the afternoon (28.2dBA); and morning (26.1dBA). Mechanical fan and monitor generated higher sounds; the pediatric intensive care unit has considerably exceeded that recommended by national and international noise organizations; afternoon generated higher sounds than morning. Keywords: Noise Meters; Noise; Intensive care; Pediatrics

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