A Noise-Sensor Light Alarm Reduces Noise in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT

This one-group pre-post test design was to evaluate sound distribution and sudden peak noise frequencies (SPNs) and the associated events after using a noise-sensor light alarm in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The alarm is activated as the sound level reaches ≥ 65 A-weighted decibel (dBA). The environmental sound level was monitored continuously for a period of 1 week before and 1 month after using the alarm. The mean sound level in the incubator of patients receiving ventilator support before and after using the device were 58.0 ± 0.6 and 56.4 ± 0.7 dBA (t = 8.619; p < 0.001), whereas those at the radiant heated bed were 58.0 ± 2.4 and 58.1 ± 2.0 dBA (t = 0.715; p = 0.476). The percentage of observation time of sound levels < 58 dBA increased by 28% in the incubator and 4% at the radiant heated bed (p < 0.001). Episodes of SPN decreased from 630 to 185 times/d in the incubator and from 2069 to 748 times/d at the radiant heated bed after using the device. The noise-sensor light alarm effectively reduces sound level and episodes of SPN in the NICU. This may alleviate stress of noise for newborns with critical illness.

Noise - alarm - newborn intensive care unit

REFERENCES

• 1 American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Hazards . Noise pollution: neonatal aspects.  Pediatrics. 1974;  54 476-479
• 2 Gottfried A W, Hodgman J E. How intensive is newborn intensive care? An environmental analysis.  Pediatrics. 1984;  74 292-294
• 3 Catlett A T, Holditch-Davis D. Environmental stimulation of the acutely ill premature infant: physiological effects and nursing implications.  Neonatal Netw. 1990;  8 19-26
• 4 DePaul D, Chambers S E. Environmental noise in the neonatal intensive care unit: implications for nursing practice.  J Perinat Nurs. 1995;  8 71-76
• 5 Osfeld B, Krawciw N, Burke S et al.. Impact of environment on the high risk infant: the effect of monitor alarm.  Pediatr Res. 1990;  27 218A
• 6 Trapanotto M, Benini F, Farina M et al.. Behavioral and physiological reactivity to noise in the newborn.  J Paediatr Child Health. 2004;  40 275-281
• 7 Van Reempts P J, Wouters A, De Cock W, Van Acker K J. Clinical defense response to cold and noise in preterm neonates after intrauterine conditions associated with chronic stress.  Am J Perinatal. 1996;  13 277-286
• 8 Wharrad H J, Davis A C. Behavioral and autonomic responses to sound in pre-term and full-term babies.  Br J Audiol. 1997;  31 315-329
• 9 Zahr L K, Balian S. Responses of premature infants to routine nursing interventions and noise in the NICU.  Nurs Res. 1995;  44 179-185
• 10 Thomas K A, Martin P A. NICU sound environment and the potential problems for caregivers.  J Perinatol. 2000;  20 S94-S99
• 11 American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Hazards . Noise: a hazard for the fetus and newborn.  Pediatrics. 1997;  100 724-727
• 12 Philbin M K, Robertson A, Hall J W. Recommended permissible noise criteria for occupied, newly constructed or renovated hospital nurseries. The Sound Study Group of the National Resource Center.  J Perinatol. 1999;  19 559-563
• 13 Chang Y-J, Lin C-H, Lin L-H. Noise and related events in a neonatal intensive care unit.  Acta Paediatr Taiwan. 2001;  42 212-217
• 14 Long J G, Lucey J F, Philip A G. Noise and hypoxemia in the intensive care nursery.  Pediatrics. 1980;  65 143-145
• 15 Elander G, Hellstrom G. Reduction of noise levels in intensive care units for infants: evaluation of an intervention program.  Heart Lung. 1995;  25 376-379
• 16 Hale D R. Noise in the hospital: a quality improvement approach.  J Nurs Admin. 1996;  26 4-8
• 17 Philbin M K, Gray L. Changing levels of quiet in an intensive care nursery.  J Perinatol. 2002;  22 455-460
• 18 Horgan M J, Eston C. Sources of environmental noise: perceptions by NICU staffs.  Pediatr Res. 1999;  45 201A-<
• 19 Levy G D, Woolston D J, Browne J V. Mean noise amounts in level II vs level III neonatal intensive care units.  Neonatal Netw. 2003;  22 33-38
• 20 Thomas K. How the NICU environment sounds to a preterm infant.  Am J Matern Child Nurs. 1989;  14 249-251
• 21 Weibley T. Inside the incubator.  Am J Matern Child Nurs. 1989;  14 96-100
• 22 Bess F H, Peek B, Chapman J. Further observations on noise levels in infant incubators.  Pediatrics. 1979;  63 100-106
• 23 Blennow G, Svenningsen N, Almqist B. Noise levels in infant incubators (adverse effects?).  Pediatrics. 1974;  53 92-32
• 24 Chen H-F, Chang Y-J. Noise distribution of an incubator with nebulizer at neonatal intensive care unit in southern Taiwan.  J Nurs Res. 2001;  9 25-32
• 25 Moore M M, Nguyen D, Nolan S P et al.. Intervention to reduce decibel levels on patient care units.  Am Surgeon. 1998;  64 894-900
• 26 Robertson A, Cooper-Peel C, Vos P. Peak noise distribution in the neonatal intensive care unit.  J Perinatol. 1998;  18 361-364
• 27 Kahn D M, Cook T E, Carlisle C C et al.. Identification and modification of environmental noise in an ICU setting.  Chest. 1998;  114 535-540
• 28 Bowie B H, Hall R B, Faulkner J, Anderson B. Single-room infant care: future trends in special care nursery planning and design.  Neonatal Netw. 2003;  22 27-34
• 29 Gorski P, Hole W, Leonard C, Martin J. Direct computer recording of premature infants and nursery care: distress following two interventions.  Pediatrics. 1983;  72 198-202