Evaluation of Noise Level in Intensive Care Units of Hospitals and Noise Mitigation Strategies, Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo

High noise levels in hospitals can affect patients’ well-being, staff productivity, and medical error rates. This study measured noise in two intensive care units (ICUs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). An occupant’s survey and a continuous field sampling were conducted in May and June 202...

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Published in:Buildings (Basel) 2023-01, Vol.13 (2), p.278
Main Authors: Nyembwe, Jean-Paul Kapuya Bulaba, Ogundiran, John Omomoluwa, Gameiro da Silva, Manuel, Albino Vieira Simões, Nuno
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Case studies
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Error analysis
Health problems
Hearing loss
hospital
Hospital patients
Hospitals
Intensive care
intensive care unit (ICU)
Intensive care units
Medical personnel
Mineral processing
Noise
Noise levels
Noise measurement
Noise pollution
Nurses
Occupational exposure
Outdoor activities
Patients
Physiology
Professionals
Questionnaires
Roads & highways
Sleep
Traffic
well-being
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description High noise levels in hospitals can affect patients’ well-being, staff productivity, and medical error rates. This study measured noise in two intensive care units (ICUs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). An occupant’s survey and a continuous field sampling were conducted in May and June 2021 in each ICU, using a T Tocas SL 1361 digital sound level meter and an online questionnaire. In GH-ICU, variations in the noise levels for the day, evening, and night-time were recorded as measuring 60.5–94.6 dBA, 61.9–90.0 dBA and 33.3–80.2 dBA respectively, while respective values of 58.8–75.5 dBA, 57–75 dBA, and 33.9–74.8 dBA were recorded for CH-ICU. The weekly noise equivalent level (Leq) of 82.8 dBA and Lden of 83.8 dBA for GH-ICU was computed, and 68.6 dBA and Lden 72.1 dBA for CH-ICU. This study found that the noise levels in both ICUs exceeded the recommended limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) for hospitals, while three-quarters of occupants expressed dissatisfaction with the acoustic environment. The results suggest the need for immediate intervention, including implementing suitable noise mitigation measures since hospital workers and patients are prone to long-term exposure to high noise, which can decrease working performance and health problems.
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subjects Analysis
Case studies
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Error analysis
Health problems
Hearing loss
hospital
Hospital patients
Hospitals
Intensive care
intensive care unit (ICU)
Intensive care units
Medical personnel
Mineral processing
Noise
Noise levels
Noise measurement
Noise pollution
Nurses
Occupational exposure
Outdoor activities
Patients
Physiology
Professionals
Questionnaires
Roads & highways
Sleep
Traffic
well-being
title Evaluation of Noise Level in Intensive Care Units of Hospitals and Noise Mitigation Strategies, Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo
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