Noise levels overnight in the intensive care units (ICU) often exceed those recommended by the World Health Organization, according to a recent study levels.
Guidelines provide that the ICU should be only 35 decibels; the whispers of a traditional library, but noise levels will are reported in the ICU are significantly higher levels of average sound always higher than 45 dBA and 50 percent of 52 dBA over time.
ICU
After complaints of patients and staff about noise, Jessa Ziekenhuis Hospital researchers in Hasselt, Belgium measured noise levels in a 12 bed intensive care unit.
A sound level meter was placed beside the bed in a room with two beds, as well as the nursing station. Measurements were made after an adjustment period of two weeks to avoid potential bias was being observed people being aware of noise. Sound levels were recorded continuously for 24 hours at each location.
