Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
04:58
Collecting And Measuring Wound Exudate Biochemical Mediators In Surgical Wounds
Published on: October 20, 2012
Noise levels in a general surgical ward: a descriptive study
1Nursing Studies, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth BH1 3LT, UK. mchristensen@bournemouth.ac.uk
Journal of Clinical Nursing
|January 27, 2005
Summary
Acoustic noise levels in a general surgical ward averaged 42.28 dB, with spikes up to 70 dB. Higher noise levels correlated with increased staff presence, impacting patient well-being.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Acoustics
- Clinical Environment Studies
- Patient Safety Research
Background:
- Hospital environments are often noisy, potentially affecting patient recovery and staff well-being.
- Understanding acoustic conditions is crucial for optimizing healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and analyze acoustic noise levels in a General Surgical Ward.
- To investigate the relationship between noise levels and the number of staff present.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Norsonic 116 sound level meter (SLM) to record 'A' weighted noise levels.
- Collected noise and staff presence data at 5-minute intervals over three consecutive days.
Main Results:
- The mean noise level was 42.28 dB(A), with peak levels reaching 70 dB(A).
- Lowest noise levels (36 dB(A)) were recorded between midnight and 7 a.m.
- A statistically significant positive correlation was found between staff presence and noise levels.
Conclusions:
- Excessive noise in surgical wards is a persistent issue affecting patients, staff, and visitors.
- Potential adverse psychophysiological effects include impaired wound healing, sleep disturbance, and cardiovascular stress.
Related Concept Videos
00:53Sound Intensity Level
Humans perceive sound by hearing. The human ear helps sound waves reach the brain, which then interprets the waves and creates the perception of hearing. The loudness of the environment in which a person is located determines whether they can distinguish between different sound sources.
The human ear can perceive an extensive range of sound intensity, necessitating the use of the logarithmic scale to define a physical quantity—the intensity level. It is a ratio of two intensities and hence a...
The human ear can perceive an extensive range of sound intensity, necessitating the use of the logarithmic scale to define a physical quantity—the intensity level. It is a ratio of two intensities and hence a...
01:20Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate
Assessment of Ventilation
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation:
01:23Assessment of Respiration
The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
01:26Endoscopic Studies II: Thoracocentesis
Thoracentesis(Thoracocentesis), commonly known as pleural tap, is a medical procedure where a 22 gauge needle is inserted into the pleural space, the area between the lung and chest wall. This procedure is commonly performed to diagnose or treat various respiratory disorders.
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
Description
Excess pleural fluid or air may accumulate in some respiratory disorders in the thoracic cavity. To treat pleural effusion, a physician conducts thoracentesis by carefully piercing the chest wall and entering...
01:10Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology
Atelectasis develops when alveoli lose their air and collapse inward. Because lung tissue is naturally elastic, these air sacs shrink rather than remaining open. Collapsed alveoli are no longer ventilated, reducing their role in gas exchange. Blood flow may continue in these regions, creating a ventilation–perfusion mismatch. Clinical findings include decreased breath sounds, dullness to percussion, reduced chest expansion, and decreased tactile fremitus as sound transmission through collapsed...