NOISE SOURCES AND ITS LEVELS DURING MORNING AND AFTERNOON SHIFT IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Abstract

Noisy environment is considered one important stress factors for newborn infants and nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It may be harmful to full term and preterm infants. The aim of this study is to compare noise sources and its levels during morning and afternoon shift in NICU. The study was a comparative descriptive design, was done on a convenient sample of 100 new born infants attending the NICU of El Manial University Hospital (Kasr Al Ainy) and Pediatric University Hospital (Al Monira). Neonatal assessment sheet and noise sources and its levels sheet were utilized for data collection. Sound level meter was used to measure the level of noise during morning and afternoon shift. Results of the study revealed statistically significant differences between morning and afternoon shift regarding noise sources and its levels. The mean of noise level during morning and afternoon shift were 71.61±5.14 decibels and 60.12±9.21 decibels respectively. Devices alarm in NICU was a higher source of noise in the afternoon shift (54%) and conversation/talking were recorded only in the morning shift (21%). The study concluded that noise levels were above the standard of AAP recommendations in NICU during morning and afternoon shift and devices alarm in NICU was a higher source of noise. The study recommended that noise sources and its levels in NICU should be evaluated routinely in different days of the week and an educational program is needed to raise awareness among nurses and other professionals about the resources of noise.