Noise levels in hospitals are excessively high, especially in the ICU environment, because of the numerous alarms and equipment, in addition to the conversation of the hospital staff itself. For this reason, this environment, which should be quiet and calm, has become noisy, thus converting into a major stress factor, likely to cause physiological and psychological disorders in both inpatients and the unit personnel. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the equivalent noise pressure level in a general ICU, in an attempt to establish the period of greatest exposure and to compare the results to both domestic and international recommendations. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Measure the ambient noise in the ICU of Hospital São Paulo using a noise analyzer model 2260 (Brüel & Kjaer) for a total period of 6.000 minutes, at a rate of one reading every 27 seconds, was carried out with the following configuration: fast response time, measuring the noise pressure level in decibels with A-frequency weighting, from September 2001 to June 2002, without knowledge by the sector personnel. RESULTS: The average equivalent noise pressure level (Leq) was of 65.36 dB(A) ranging from 62.9 to 69.3 dB(A). During the day, the average Leq was of 65.23 dB(A), and at night 63.89 dB(A). L FMax was found to be 108.4 dB(A) and L FMin of 40 dB(A). CONCLUSIONS: The noise level found in this ICU is above the recommended by the literature during all the periods examined. Thus, excessive noise sources need to be better identified so that proper steps may be taken to reduce this noise and make this environment more silent, thus improving the professionals' work and the patients' recovery.
intensive care units; noise measurement; sound contamination; hospitals
