Comparing average levels and peak occurrence of overnight sound in the medical intensive care unit on A-weighted and C-weighted decibel scales
2016
Journal of Critical Care
Journal Article
Issue Supplement C
Volume 36
Pages 1-7
Author(s): Knauert, M., Jeon, S., Murphy, T. E., Yaggi, H. K., Pisani, M. A., Redeker, N. S.
The loss of sleep, poor quality of sleep, and circadian misalignment experienced by patients in intensive care units (ICUs) are attributed to a multitude of factors – physiological, psychological, and environmental. ICUs are characterized by loud noises that disrupt a patient’s ability to sleep.
Added December 2017
Feasibility of noise reduction by a modification in ICU environment
2016
Physiological Measurement
Journal Article
Issue 7
Volume 37
Pages 1041-1055
Author(s): Luetz, A., Weiss, B., Penzel, T., Fietze, I., Glos, M, Wernecke, K. D., Bluemke, B., Dehn, A. M., Willemeit, T., Finke, A., Spies, C.
Noise can adversely affect sleep quality, which is important to the recovery of ICU patients. Two ICU rooms in a German hospital were re-designed with the objective of reducing noise. The authors conducted a study wherein they examined the impact of these modifications on sound pressure levels (SPL) in these rooms.
Added December 2017
Influence of soundscape and interior design on anxiety and perceived tranquillity of patients in a healthcare setting
2016
Applied Acoustics
Journal Article
Issue Supplement C
Volume 104
Pages 135-141
Author(s): Watts, G., Khan, A., Pheasant, R.
The authors open their paper with a brief introduction on tranquil spaces and their relevance in a healthcare setting – improved hospital recovery rates, stress reduction, and more. According to the authors, tranquil spaces are spaces having a pleasant and calming effect – typically natural environments – specifically defined by low manmade sounds. The authors allude to the necessity of creating...
Added September 2017
Noise pollution levels in the pediatric intensive care unit
2016
Journal of Critical Care
Journal Article
Author(s): Kramer, B., Joshi, P., Heard, C.
Added September 2017
Exploring the effect of sound and music on health in hospital settings: A narrative review
2016
International Journal of Nursing Studies
Journal Article
Author(s): Iyendo, T. O.
Added August 2017
Assessment of environmental noise and its effect on neonates in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
2016
Applied Acoustics
Journal Article
Author(s): Romeu, Jordi, Cotrina, L., Perapoch, J., Linés, M.
Added August 2017
The Duration of Self-Selected Music Needed to Reduce Preoperative Anxiety
2016
Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 31
Pages 196-208
Author(s): McClurkin, S. L., Smith, C. D.
Added August 2017
Reducing hospital noise with sound acoustic panels and diffusion: a controlled study
2016
BMJ Quality & Safety
Journal Article
Issue 8
Volume 25
Pages 644
Author(s): Farrehi, P. M., Nallamothu, B. K., Navvab, M.
Ambient noise is a well-known source of stress in healthcare environments. Hospitals have employed methods such as shielding patients with closed doors, altering staff behaviors, and moving equipment, but these approaches can disrupt workflows and do not address the realities of sound generation within hospitals.
Added March 2017
Acoustic assessment of speech privacy curtains in two nursing units
2016
Noise & Health
Journal Article
Issue 80
Volume 18
Pages 26-35
Author(s): Pope, D. S., Miller-Klein, E. T.
Hospitals are environments with complex soundscapes, and some elements of these soundscapes can impede upon patient health and overall communication. Numerous sources of noise from equipment, movement, and increased speaking volumes combine with high reverberation rates, resulting in the need to speak increasingly louder.
Added March 2017
The acoustic environment of inpatient hospital wards in the United Kingdom
2016
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 140
Pages 2213-2224
Author(s): Shield, Bridget, Shiers, Nicola, Glanville, Rosemary
Added December 2016
An investigation of light and sound levels on intensive care units in China
2016
Australian Critical Care
Journal Article
Issue 2
Volume 29
Pages 62-67
Author(s): Hu, R.-F., Hegadoren, K. M., Wang, X.-Y., Jiang, X.-Y.
Added December 2016
Improving inpatient environments to support patient sleep
2016
International Journal for Quality in Health Care
Journal Article
Issue 5
Volume 28
Pages 540–553
Author(s): DuBose, J. R., Hadi, K.
The importance of sleep in the healing process, as well as the dangers of sleep deprivation, have been thoroughly studied within previously published literature.
Added December 2016
Low stimulus environments: reducing noise levels in continuing care
2016
BMJ Quality Improvement Reports
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 5
Pages 1-4
Author(s): Brown, J., Fawzi, W., Shah, A., Joyce, M., Holt, G., McCarthy, C., Stevenson, C., Marange, R., Shakes, J., Solomon-Ayeh, K.
This article highlights a project that aimed to reduce levels of intrinsic background noise on an adult mental health ward. Following intervention, the ward was able to decrease the background noise decibel level from 60dB to 53dB (on average).
Added November 2016
Surface Finish Materials: Considerations for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
2016
Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews
Journal Article
Issue 4
Volume 16
Pages 203-207
Author(s): Harris, D.
In this literature review, it is shown that a growing body of research has been focusing on how surface material finishes within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) can contribute to the operational, clinical, and social aspects of health outcomes.
Added September 2016
Objective acoustical quality in healthcare office facilities
2016
Canadian Acoustics
Journal Article
Issue 3
Volume 44
Pages 1-2
Author(s): Hodgson, M.
In this relatively brief study, the author chooses to survey a number of different healthcare offices in different locations in order to describe their acoustical nature and identify how certain design elements affect acoustical properties. Many different aspects of the offices’ physical design are taken into account in order to produce a comprehensive analysis of what exactly affects a given environment’s acoustical characteristics, and what could potentially be done to improve these characteristics.
Added September 2016
Environmental Variables That Influence Patient Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature
2016
HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal
Journal Article
Issue 1
Volume 10
Pages 155-169
Author(s): MacAllister, L., Zimring, C., Ryherd, E.
This paper is a literature review that compiles a number of studies investigating the layouts and designs of hospitals and work settings, and the influences that these environments have on health and behavioral outcomes in patients. More specifically, this review seeks to identify possible links between physical and social environmental influences to self-reported patient outcomes. The authors wish to more fully understand the elements that influence patient satisfaction, and then begin a discussion over how physical and social environments can be further analyzed to enhance satisfaction.
Added September 2016
Optimizing Ceiling Systems and Lightweight Plenum Barriers to Achieve Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) Ratings of 40, 45 and 50
Author(s): Madaras, Gary S., Heuer, Andrew E.
Added September 2016
Benchmark problem for human activity identification using floor vibrations
2016
Expert Systems with Applications
Journal Article
Author(s): Madarshahian, Ramin, Caicedo, J. M., Zambrana, D. A.
Added June 2016
Understanding Green Building Design and Healthcare Outcomes: Evidence-Based Design Analysis of an Oncology Unit
2016
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Journal Article
Author(s): Campion, N., Thiel, C. L., Focareta, J., Bilec, M. M.
The United States healthcare industry is a major part of the economy as well as a significant contributor to carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental issues. Green building design (GBD) attempts to offset environmental impacts of buildings, and recently designers have been combining GBD with evidence-based design (EBD) in order to create facilities that positively impact both the external and internal environment.
Added June 2016
