Physiological and psychological effects of ambient noise in operating room on medical staff

Abstract

Background: The study was conducted to assess operating room noise levels and to investigate its effects on medical staff.

Methods: Single-blind study. This study was conducted with 92 medical staff working in 11 operating rooms of a university hospital. Data was collected using a personal information form and sound level measuring devices. Sound measurements were made 3 days a week in the morning and in the afternoon, twice a day and lasted 15 min each. Mean values of the measurements in each room were collected and recommended maximum values for operating rooms (35 dB during daytime) by the World Health Organization were set as a reference point.

Results: The highest noise level was measured in orthopaedic (67.5 dB), and the lowest in gynaecology room (55.5 dB). Daily mean noise level of all operating rooms was 60.90 dB. Noise disturbance score measured with Visual Analogue Scale was 6.66 ± 1.84. Of the medical staff, 84.8% were physiologically, 93.5% psychologically, and 82.6% both physiologically and psychologically affected. Of those affected physiologically, 51.1% experienced fatigue, and 33.7% headache, and of those affected psychologically, 43.5% experienced inattentiveness, 34.8% agitation and 15.2% restlessness. Only 4.34% reported not being affected by the noise.

Conclusion: Operating room noise levels were higher than normal limits set by the World Health Organization, which affected the medical staff both physiologically and psychologically. Since experienced negativities may reduce medical staff's motivation and increase error making, making arrangements to control noise levels is recommended.

Keywords: effects of noise; noise; operating room; operating room noise.