Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Original Articles

Effects of Noise in Hospital on Patients and Employees: Mi Hwa Lee, Joon Sakong, Pock-Soo Kang; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2007;24(2 Suppl):S352-364. Published online December 31, 2007; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2007.24.2S.S352

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Background
：The purpose of this study was to estimate noise levels in hospital and effects of noise on patients and staff members and provide basic information required for reducing noise and improving working environment in hospital. Material and Methods：A structured questionnaire was served to patients and employees at a general hospital based in Daegu during the period from December 2004 to January 2005. Noise levels were measured at locations where noise level was high in the hospital.
Results
：Of total employee respondents, 95.8% cited work interruption and 94.5% cited interruption in conversation as noise disturbance. Also, 98.7% of total employees respondents regarded noise in hospital as a nuisance. Those working in intensive care units (58.8%) and boiler maintenance room (66.7%) said noise level was high all day. Those working in Nutrition Division (47.5%) said noise level was high in the morning between 10 and 11 a.m. Patients in the hospital cited sleep disturbance (59.0%), nuisance (38.0%) and interruption in conversation (38.0%) as a consequence of noise. Of these patients, 75.0% said they were just tolerating noise. By the source of noise, patients described talks between patient and family member who sharing the same room, visitors, squeak noise from beds and chairs, trolley, telephone bell and toilet flush.
Conclusion
：Noise in the hospital resulted in sleep disturbance, nuisance and interruption in conversation for patients and poor working environment, reduced performance and interruption in conversation for employees. Noise control seems imminent to make hospital environment comfortable for both patients and employees.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Degree of Alarm Fatigue and Mental Workload of Hospital Nurses in Intensive Care Units
Yoonhee Seok, Yoomi Cho, Nayoung Kim, Eunyoung E. Suh
Nursing Reports.2023; 13(3): 946. CrossRef
Noise Experience Status and Response to Noise of Patients and Nursing Staff in the ICU
Sun-Hee Yun, Jung-Eun Choi, Hyoung-Soon Kim, Yang-Sook Yoo
Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2021; 28(2): 207. CrossRef
Development and Application of an Intervention for Noise Reduction in Intensive Care Units
Sun-Hee Yun, Na-Young Kwak, Yang-Sook Yoo
Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2020; 32(6): 584. CrossRef
The relationship between noise awareness, hearing ability, and dental hygiene performance in dental hygienists
Kyung-Hwa Park, Hyo-Jin Kim
Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene.2015; 15(1): 11. CrossRef
Effects of Noise Block on Anxiety and Vital Sign of Patients with Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgery in Operating Room
Mi Son Choi, Eun Ja Lee
Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing.2012; 21(3): 317. CrossRef
Occupational Diseases of Health Care Workers
Eun-A Kim
Hanyang Medical Reviews.2010; 30(4): 265. CrossRef

Electromagnetic Fields in General Hospital.: Sei One Shin, Sang Mo Yun, Hyoun Jin Shin, Hyun Soo Ahn, Hee Deok Ahn; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2004;21(2):167-176. Published online December 31, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2004.21.2.167

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Abstract PDF: BACKGROUND
Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are ubiquitous in modern society including medical field. As the technology of medical instruments and telecommunications has developed rapidly, it has influenced on our lives in many ways. Modern medical practice requires high quality medical equipments, which have a great deal of electromagnetic interference and susceptibility. The purpose of this study were to evaluate electromagnetic condition under usual clinical condition and to suggest a practical guideline in general hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The actual state of the electromagnetic interference in the medical field was studied under usual clinical conditions including operating rooms, intensive care units, magnetic resonance imaging unit, and hyperthermia unit. RESULTS: There was considerable noise as a result of electromagnetic fields from medical equipments including electrosurgical units and hyperthermia unit, and cellular phones, which could induce serious functional derangements of functioning medical devices. CONCLUSION: It will be necessary to evaluate the individual electromagnetic situations under various medical conditions and to define a limited zone for cellular phone as well as reposition medical equipments to secure a safer medical practice and to minimize electromagnetic interference.

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