Silencing the ICU
LiNoise-ICU, Reducing Noise in the ICU
Published
Noise is a proven cause of wakefulness and qualitative sleep disturbance in critically ill patients. A sound pressure level reduction can improve sleep quality, but there are no studies showing the feasibility of such a noise reduction in the ICU setting.
In 1999, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has published a guideline for community noise, which includes recommendations of sound pressure level (SPL) thresholds for hospitals. The WHO suggests that the A-weighted energy equivalent SPL (LAeq) in rooms in which patients are being treated or observed should not exceed 35 decibels (dB) during the day and the A-weighted maximum SPL with fast time constant (LAFmax) should not exceed 40 dB.
SPLs in hospitals and particularly on the ICU exceed WHO recommendations during all day- and night-times. Considering available evidence, we redesigned two ICU rooms with the aim of investigating the physiological and clinical impact of a healing environment, including a noise reduction and day-night variations of sound level. Within an experimental design, we recorded sound-pressure levels in standard ICU rooms and the modified ICU rooms. In addition, we performed a sound source observation by human observers.
“Unnecessary noise is the most cruel absence of care that can be inflicted on sick or well.”
Our results show that we reduced A-weighted equivalent sound pressure levels and maximum sound pressure levels with our architectural interventions.
During night-time, the modification led to a significant decrease in 50 dB threshold overruns from 65.5% to 39.9% (door side) and from 50% to 10.5% (window side). Sound peaks of more than 60 decibels were significantly reduced from 62.0% to 26.7% (door side) and 59.3% to 30.3% (window side). Time-series analysis of linear trends revealed a significantly more distinct day-night pattern in the modified rooms with lower sound levels during night-times. Observed sound sources during night revealed four times as many talking events in the standard room compared to the modified room.
In summary, we could show that our architectural modifications were effective in reducing noise levels, promoting a day-night pattern, as well a reducing peaks that are the main cause for arousals in healthy subjects.