The Impact of Operating Room Noise Upon Communication During Percutaneous Nephrostolithotomy

Equipment and personnel contribute to the overall noise level in the operating room (OR). This study aims to determine intraoperative noise levels during percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PCNL) and the effects of this noise upon intraoperative communication.

A PCNL benchtop model was used to measure intraoperative noise and determine its effect upon communication in three progressively increasing sound environments (baseline ambient noise, ambient noise with PCNL equipment, and ambient noise with both PCNL equipment and music). Five trials with 20 different medical words/phrases were spoken by the surgeon and responses were recorded by the first assistant, anesthesiologist, and circulating nurse. In addition, noise levels during PCNL were compared to common environmental noise levels.

In the bench top model, noise levels were 53.49 A-weighted decibels (dBA) with ambient noise, 78.79 dBA with equipment in use, and 81.78 dBA with equipment and music. At the ambient noise level, the first assistant, anesthesiologist, and circulator correctly recorded 100%, 100%, and 96% of the words, respectively. The correct response rate by the subjects decreased to 97% (p = 0.208), 81% (p = 0.012), and 56% (p < 0.001) upon addition of PCNL equipment, and 90% (p = 0.022), 48% (p = 0.002), and 13% (p < 0.001) upon addition of music and PCNL equipment in the first assistant, anesthesiologist, and circulator, respectively. In the simulated OR model, PCNL noise level (81.78 dBA) was comparable to a passing freight train at 30 feet (82.2 dBA, p = 0.44).

Noise pollution decreases effective intraoperative communication during PCNL. It is important for surgeons to understand the effect noise can have on attempted communication to prevent errors due to miscommunication. In addition, methods to decrease intraoperative noise pollution and improve communication in the OR could improve patient safety and outcomes.