Does Noise on My Neonatal Unit Matter?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does Noise on My Neonatal Unit Matter? Exploratory Cross-Sectional Multiple-Cohort Professional Opinion Survey Study
IRAS ID
334522
Contact name
Artur Abelian
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
It is well recognised that inpatient health care facilities are excessively noisy. We have recently quantified the level of noise in the neonatal unit in Wrexham Maelor Hospital and, not surprisingly, found it well in excess of the recommended level of 45dB. The study also found that staff-generated noise, especially loud speech, was the main contributor of the excess. There is compelling evidence that excessive noise adversely impacts on the physiological responses and cognitive development of premature babies. This study aims to explore the perception of the neonatal unit staff on the impact of excessive noise (direct and indirect) on babies cared in the neonatal units.
It is logical to assume that the neonatal staff, exposed to less noise, would make fewer errors in medication administration, interpretation of patient information, handovers, performance of advanced procedures, communication with families, and much more. As a result, reducing excessive noise in neonatal units has the potential to positively impact morbidity and even mortality rates in this population.
The study will produce a high-quality survey instrument exploring neonatal staff opinion on whether excessive noise impacts on their professional performance, and, by extension, impacts on the health outcomes of their neonatal patients. All neonatal units in Wales will be approached with the survey instrument, using a combination of personal, telephone, website, mail and email data collection methods.
If the results demonstrate that the staff are concerned, then further emphasis on noise reduction strategies may be appropriate in the interest of both staff and neonatal patients.
It may also potentially pave the way for a randomised study that will assess whether recommended noise levels are associated with lower morbidity and even mortality rates in neonates.REC name
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REC reference
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