Archives of Disease in Childhood · 2012 · 20 citations · 0 references
EngineeringNoise ControlNoise LevelSound QualityAir QualityHospital MedicineEnvironmental HealthEnvironmental NoiseNoiseSound LevelEmergency WardsAcoustic AnalysisHealth SciencesIndoor Test RangesNoise MeasurementAuditory ResearchHearing ConservationIndustrial NoiseNursingNoise PollutionAir PollutionHearing DetectionEmergency Medicine
<h3></h3> Technology development has increased sound level beyond standards in hospitals. Such pollution undoubtedly has negative effects on staff heath and quality of care accordingly. Our goal with this study carried out to investigate noise levels in intensive care and emergency wards in Emam Reza hospital, at Mashhad University, Iran. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> This was a prospective study that performed on measuring of sound level of 10 intensive care and emergency wards of Imam Reza Hospital in a 30-minute-interval of AM working shift at one meter distance from nursing stations getting maximum sound level (L<sub>max</sub>) and Average Sound Level (L<sub>eq</sub>). <h3>Results</h3> Lmax in most wards were between 85–86dB. Leq in all wards were between 60.2 dB. Average Leq in emergency wards was 62.2 dB without any justification. (L<sub>eq</sub>).in NICU was 60.8 dB(beyond standard level).In most of wards peak of noise were between 9:30–11 AM. L<sub>eq</sub> in all wards were more exceeded the standards levels. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The average of sound levels in our wards remarkably exceeds the standards levels. The hospital staff should be aware of this noise level and its effects .