Spectral analysis of noise in the neonatal intensive care unit
Spectral analysis of noise in the neonatal intensive care unit
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DOI：
10.1007/s12098-008-0048-z
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发表时间：
2008-03-01
影响因子：
4.3
通讯作者：
Swarnarekha
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Livera, M. D.;Priya, B.;Swarnarekha
Objective.对三级新生儿重症监护病房（NICU）的设备和活动产生的噪声进行频谱分析，并测量15 d内的真实的时间序列小时噪声水平。使用数字频谱声音分析仪记录NICU中由单个设备和活动产生的噪声，以在0.5-8 KHz范围内进行频谱分析。连续15天使用数字声压级计在NICU的所有房间进行每小时的噪声水平测量。采用独立样本t检验和单因素方差分析检验结果的统计学意义。该研究有90%的功率检测至少4 dB的差异，从推荐的最大值50 dB，95%的置信度。呼吸机室和稳定室的平均噪声水平分别比最大推荐值50 dB（A）高19.99 dB（A）和11.81 dB（A）（p < 0.001）。在1 ~ 8 KHz频谱范围内，设备产生的声压级比推荐值高19.11dB。在1 - 8 KHz频谱中，活动产生的SPL比推荐标准高21.49dB（p< 0.001）。呼吸机和雾化器在0.5 KHz频谱下产生8.5 dB SPL的过量噪声。新生儿重症监护室的噪音水平高得令人无法接受。对设备和活动噪声的频谱分析表明，噪声主要在1 - 8 KHz频谱内。这些水平保证立即实施降噪方案作为NICU的护理标准。
Objective. To perform spectral analysis of noise generated by equipments and activities in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and measure the real time sequential hourly noise levels over a 15 day period.Methods. Noise generated in the NICU by individual equipments and activities were recorded with a digital spectral sound analyzer to perform spectral analysis over 0.5-8 KHz. Sequential hourly noise level measurements in all the rooms of the NICU were done for 15 days using a digital sound pressure level meter. Independent sample t test and one way ANOVA were used to examine the statistical significance of the results. The study has a 90% power to detect at least 4 dB differences from the recommended maximum of 50 dB with 95% confidence.Results. The mean noise levels in the ventilator room and stable room were 19.99 dB (A) sound pressure level (SPL) and 11.81 dB (A) SPL higher than the maximum recommended of 50 dB (A) respectively (p < 0.001). The equipments generated 19.11 dB SPL higher than the recommended norms in 1 - 8 KHz spectrum. The activities generated 21.49 dB SPL higher than the recommended norms in 1 - 8 KHz spectrum (p< 0.001). The ventilator and nebulisers produced excess noise of 8.5 dB SPL at the 0.5 KHz spectrum.Conclusion. Noise level in the NICU is unacceptably high. Spectral analysis of equipment and activity noise have shown noise predominantly in the 1 - 8 KHz spectrum. These levels warrant immediate implementation of noise reduction protocols as a standard of care in the NICU.