Noise in the NICU
What do the staff in your unit do to reduce noise levels in your NICU?
Many of us who practice nursing in the NICU forget that the noise levels in the units are very damaging to the babies especially premature infants and infants who spend many days under the radiant warmers. It has been found that most units' sound levels exceed recommended levels. Many studies have been done that indicate that excessive exposure of the premie to noise contributes to undesirable physiological and behaviorable effects. These effects include disruption of sleep, apnea, bradycardia, desaturation. cochlear damage, speech and hearing problems, intracranial bleeding and more. Excessive sound may also mask meaningful sounds such as the parent's voice.
There are certain areas of the NICU, times of day, and behavoirs of staff that contribute to excessive noise. Entrances, sink areas, and staff computer areas are the noisiest. Sound levels are the highest during nursing shift changes and during rounds.
What can we do to reduce sound levels and thereby protect our premies from damage??
1. Simply make a concerted and continued effort to keep our voices low.
2. Educate all staff to promote awareness of this problem.
3. Move nurse to nurse reporting to an area outside the unit.
4. Abolish the use of loudspeakers or turn down the volume.
5. Use lights rather than ringers to signify phone calls.
6. Move social phone calls to outside the unit.
7. Limit the use of music for staff enjoyment.
8. Lower the lights which seems to promote a quieter environment.
9. Move premies to incubators as soon as possible.
Remember we, as nurses, can have a definite impact on the sources of noise in our units.
Although it will be a challenge to maintain safe levels of sound, the benefits to our babies will be great.
Please provide any comments and suggestions on measures your NICU has taken to reduce sound. Thank You!!
Reference:
Krueger C, Nealis R, Parker L, and Wall S. 2005. Elevated sound levels within a busy NICU. Neonatal Network 24(6):33-37.
http://www.neonatalnetwork.com/
Carolyn
posted by Carolyn at 11:15 AM
2 Comments:
Noise in the NICU is a big problem for many units. At St. Vincent's NICU we have tried to institute many of the steps you've outlined.
In addition, we cover our isolettes to decrease both light, and noise.
One area which is a problem is the fire alert bell. It is located right in the patient care area. For years I've asked that it be moved to the unit desk area but $$ and regulatory considerations have made this a loosing battle.
Where is your fire bell, and do you notice that it affects the babies when it goes off?
2:40 PM
I am the Develomental Support Role Person at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake City, UT.
We are attempting to institute a "quiet hour" from 1600-1700 daily as this is a downtime on our unit and it tends to get very loud due to bedside conversation. We instituted this in December 2008. It has been slow to catch on but is gaining momentum. If I walk around the unit and hand out candy, there is a significant decrease in the noise.
1:42 PM
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