Even though we know that noise has an impact on patients, how noise impacts the work environment of nurses is not well understood. In general, relevant studies show that the worse types of noise for patients are background noise, vibrations, screen alarms, and other people talking. Nurse researchers in Spain recently completed the first phase of a multiphase study to identify the most annoying noises in the practice environment.
The purpose of this study was to look at nurses’ perceptions of noise properties, origins, and moments of most intensity in four hospitals in Spain.
Sample
A total of 137 nurses responded to the questionnaire.
Setting
A questionnaire was designed to collect perceptions of nurses from four hospitals (Bierzo Hospital, Leon Hospital, University of Salamanca Hospital and Clinics, and University of thehe Princess Hospital) with three distinct patient populations (intensive care, surgical, and pediatric units).
Metrics and Measurement
Perception questionnaire was conducted.
Data Analysis
Descriptive statistics were completed on the data.
The data show that noise is most disturbing for nurses when they are confronting stressful situations or, at a personal level, when they want to rest.
The types of noises in the professional environment that are most annoying are those that are repetitive, independently of intensity or duration. Undoubtedly the most unbearable source is loud people. The perception of noise in the hospital is generally bearable (61%). It is important to note that the noisiest time coincides with the hours of more activity, although 26% perceive the opposite, indicating that with
less activity, noise is more disturbing than in other moments of the day.
Thirty-four percent of participants consider noise to be unbearable at the hospital, and 46% think that noise is high in their work unit. It is also relevant for nurses how long it takes them to fall asleep at home, almost to the point of illness; 35% said it takes them between 30 and 60 minutes to fall asleep (a healthy sleep pattern norm is less than 30 minutes).