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Related Experiment Videos

Noise in the ED.

Marius A Tijunelis1, Elizabeth Fitzsullivan, Sean O Henderson

  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, LAC+USC Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.

The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|May 26, 2005
PubMed
Summary
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Noise levels in an urban emergency department (ED) regularly exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended 40 dB. Reducing noise pollution in the ED can decrease patient and provider stress.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Healthcare Management
  • Clinical Engineering

Background:

  • Noise pollution in critical care units impacts patient outcomes and provider well-being.
  • High noise levels increase the probability of medical errors and contribute to provider burnout.
  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends a maximum hospital noise level of 40 dB.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To measure and analyze noise levels within a large, urban, level I emergency department (ED).
  • To compare recorded ED noise levels against established EPA guidelines.

Main Methods:

  • A 3-channel dosimeter (Quest Q300) was used to record sound levels in the ED resuscitation booth.
  • Sound was sampled 16 times per second for 12 hours, logging peaks and averages.

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  • A second phase involved a medical student wearing a microphone to log sound fluctuations during an 8-hour shift.

    • Main Results:

    • The initial time-weighted average noise level was 43 dB, exceeding the EPA recommendation.
    • Sound levels peaked approximately 25 times over 12 hours, with individual peaks reaching 94-117 dB.
    • The second phase recorded a time-weighted average noise level of 52.9 dB.

    Conclusions:

    • The studied emergency department consistently exceeds the EPA's recommended noise level of 40 dB.
    • Identifiable sources of noise pollution exist within the ED environment.
    • Mitigating noise sources in the ED has the potential to reduce overall stress levels.