Noise Reduction in a Hospital Setting Using a Cultural Change Model

The World Health Organization reports that while normal conversations occur at fifty-six to sixty dB, conversations in hospitals generally occur at higher levels due to the louder baseline noise from equipment and hospital activity. They recommend that noise levels in patient rooms be maintained at levels at or below 35 dB. Environmental modifications can effectively decrease noise levels, yet the process of caring for hospitalized patients necessitates frequent and ongoing interpersonal dialogues. Minimizing the patient exposure to interpersonal communications between employees requires a change in employee behaviors. Hospital based studies have reported some success in reducing noise levels by establishing equipment and purchase standards related to noise and designing units to control sounds. While effective, structural changes and equipment purchases can be cost prohibitive for many facilities. The goal of this pilot study was to develop, implement and evaluate an educational program on noise reduction.