Factors Affecting Nurses' Performance of Noise Management in Adult Intensive Care Units

The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting the noise management performance of adult intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in Korea. The ICU environment is exposed to various types of noises due to the use of medical devices for the treatment of critically ill patients. The noise has an adverse effect on nurses' health and their nursing performance, which might potentially threaten patient safety. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 148 nurses working in adult ICUs from two university hospitals in Korea. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, which included various aspects such as noise knowledge, response to noise, patient safety culture, and noise management performance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that teamwork (β = 0.33, p=0.004), patient safety policy, and procedure (β = 0.25, p=0.037), which were subscales of patient safety culture, as well as frequency of noise experience (β = 0.16, p=0.030) were significant factors affecting adult ICU nurses' performance of noise management. This study provides a significant basis for promoting adult ICU nurses' performance in noise management. A structured policy and procedure for noise management should be established for reducing noise in adult ICUs. In terms of nursing education, it is necessary to consider and develop team-based training programs to promote noise management performance in the ICU. Nurse managers and nursing organizations should consider how to create conditions in which nurses can recognize the importance of noise reduction and perform well in noise management.