Korean J Adult Nurs.  2020 Dec;32(6):584-598. 10.7475/kjan.2020.32.6.584.

Development and Application of an Intervention for Noise Reduction in Intensive Care Units

• Yun SH
• Kwak NY
• Yoo YS

• KMID: 2510329
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2020.32.6.584

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to develop an intervention to reduce noise in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and evaluate the effects of applying it.
Methods
The research design was a non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental study. To develop noise reduction interventions in ICUs, preliminary intervention techniques to reduce noise were derived through a literature review, field survey, and focus group interviews. The intervention was developed by verifying the validity of the content and the clinical applicability, and the result was applied to practice. To assess the effect of the intervention, the following were evaluated: noise level in the ICU, perceived noise level, response to noise, satisfaction of patients and staff with noise management, sleep quality of patients, noise-related knowledge, and perception and performance of noise management of the staff.
Results
With the intervention developed in this study, the noise level in the ICU, perceived noise level, and response to noise of patients and staff decreased, and satisfaction with noise management increased. The sleep quality of patients, noise-related knowledge, and perception and performance of noise management of the staff increased.
Conclusion
This intervention is shown to be effective in reducing the noise level in the ICU. Therefore, if it is used actively in practice, it is expected to create a comfortable environment by reducing the noise level in the ICU.

Keyword

Intensive care units; Noise reduction; Intervention