Study of noise pollution in Jeddah hospitals

The present study was conducted on a sample of 6 hospitals in Jeddah to investigate the status of noise pollution there, and as related to community background noise, operational activities, hospital size and operational concepts (public vs private). Generally, the levels of noise in the clinics, patient rooms, offices, waiting areas and corridors significantly exceed the recommended standard. The noise levels in the machinery rooms significantly exceed the levels in offices, waiting areas and corridors which, in turn, significantly exceed the levels in clinics and patient rooms. Background community noise has a little impact on indoor noise due to the construction characteristics of the hospitals' buildings. However, "operational noise" from machinery and from the move of public (patients, attendants and employees) significantly contribute to indoor noise. Proper site location, city planning, traffic engineering, building construction, equipment selection, construction and equipment maintenance, and system management have been recommended for the abatement of hospital noise pollution.