Noise in the neonatal intensive care unit during shift alternation (nursing and/or doctor) and doctor’s visit

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to verify Leq during the nursing and/or doctor shift alternation and doctor’s visit in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of an academic hospital of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo - Brazil. Data were collected during a week (08 to 14/05/2004 from 6:45am to 07:30pm) with the use of the mark dosimeter Quest 400, checklist and field diary with the purpose of accomplishing the inventory of the environmental noise. The equipment was installed in the central area of a ten beds infirmary. Leq during the nursing shift alternation was between 55.3dBA and 72.2dBA. During doctor shift alternation it was from 57.2dBA to 70.5dBA and in the medical visit it varied from 56.0dBA to 75.7dBA. Leq in the NICU was intense during shift alternation (doctor and nursing) and in the medical visit going over 50dBA, which is the value recommended for NICU. To reduce the noise level, activities should be organized in an interdisciplinary and intersectorial way, intervening in the health team, clientele, physical atmosphere and equipments.