The Sound of Urgency: Understanding Noise in the Emergency Department

Authors

  • Julienne Ortiga BEng
  • Sangarapillai Kanapathipillai PhD, MEngSc, BScEng, MAAS, MIE
  • Barbara Daly RN, BHA, MHA
  • Julieanne Hilbers PhD, Reg Psych, Grad Dip Ed, BSc
  • Wayne Varndell BSc, PGDip, PGCert, MCENA, MACN
  • Alison Short PhD, MA, BMus, GCULT, RMT, MT-BC, FAMI, RGIMT

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v5i1.200

Abstract

Hospital noise is a worldwide issue, with detrimental effects on health and healing. The busy emergency department (ED) typically generates excess noise. Few studies have investigated noise levels within the Australian ED. This study examines noise in this setting, in turn suggesting how noise levels may be reduced. Noise level measurements occurred in 4 locations within the ED during peak staff and patient flow times over selected 7-hour periods. These were compared to the available standards and guidelines and supplemented by regular staff surveys documenting perceived noise. Findings indicated that all 4 locations exceeded the maximum recommended levels by up to 20 dB. Staff perception surveys suggested that most noise was created by people (conversations). Reducing noise in the ED may be achieved by (1) decreasing the generation of noise and (2) reviewing building layout and introducing physical noise controls such as noise-absorbing ceiling tiles and acoustic barriers/curtains.

Author Biographies

Julienne Ortiga, BEng

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Julienne Ortiga, BEng, is a final year student in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of New South Wales, Australia.

Sangarapillai Kanapathipillai, PhD, MEngSc, BScEng, MAAS, MIE

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Sangarapillai Kanapathipillai, PhD, MEngSc, BScEng, MAAS, MIE, is a Lecturer in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of New South Wales, Australia.

Barbara Daly, RN, BHA, MHA

Emergency Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.

Barbara Daly, RN, BHA, MHA, is a Senior Nurse Manager in the Emergency Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.

Julieanne Hilbers, PhD, Reg Psych, Grad Dip Ed, BSc

Prince of Wales Hospital & Community Health Services, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.

Julieanne Hilbers, PhD, Reg Psych, Grad Dip Ed, BSc, is a Diversity Health Coordinator at Prince of Wales Hospital & Community Health Services, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.

Wayne Varndell, BSc, PGDip, PGCert, MCENA, MACN

Emergency Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.

Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

Wayne Varndell, BSc, PGDip, PGCert, MCENA, MACN, is the (Acting) Clinical Nurse Consultant in the Emergency Department at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, and an Associate Clinical Lecturer, Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.

Alison Short, PhD, MA, BMus, GCULT, RMT, MT-BC, FAMI, RGIMT

Centre for Clinical Governance Research, Australian Institute of Health Inno- vation, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Clinical Training Centre, HammondCare, Hammondville, New South Wales, Australia.

Alison Short, PhD, MA, BMus, GCULT, RMT, MT-BC, FAMI, RGIMT, is a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Clinical Governance Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia, and a Project Manager with the Clinical Training Centre, HammondCare, Ham- mondville, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

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Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Full Length Articles