Noise in the Operating Room: A Prospective Study in Mohammed V Military Hospital, Rabat

Research Article

Austin Anesthesiol. 2024; 4(1): 1007.

Noise in the Operating Room: A Prospective Study in Mohammed V Military Hospital, Rabat

Hmadate I*; Aarjouni Y; Chikhi I; Elwali A; Bensghir M

Department of Anesthesiology, university Mohammed 5 of Rabat, Morocco

*Corresponding author: Hmadate I Department of anesthesiology, unversity Mohammed 5 of Rabat, Military Hospital of Rabat, Morocco. Tel: 00212658719091 Email: ilyasshmadate@outlook.com

Received: December 06, 2023 Accepted: January 23, 2024 Published: January 29, 2024

Abstract

Introduction: The article delves into an in-depth analysis of the noise levels within the Operating Rooms (OR) at the Military Hospital of Rabat. It emphasizes the significance of a quiet environment during surgical procedures for the well-being of patients and the focus of the surgical team.

Materials and Methods: The study conducted at the Military Hospital of Rabat involved comprehensive monitoring and measurement of noise levels within the OR. Data collection methods, which included the use of a sonometre, were employed to assess the sources and intensities of noise.

Results: The study included 30 patients. Among the various noise sources examined, the most notable contributors were the instrument boxes and the ventilators. These sources consistently reached peak noise levels of 78 decibels (dB).

Discussion: The article discusses the various sources of noise in the operating rooms, ranging from equipment alarms and background chatter to the clinking of surgical instruments.

It delves into the potential impacts of noise on patient outcomes, including increased stress levels and the potential for communication breakdowns among surgical staff. The discussion also covers strategies and technologies employed to mitigate noise, such as soundproofing materials and innovative communication systems.

Conclusion: this study underscores the critical importance of managing noise levels in the operating rooms in our hospital. It emphasizes that reducing noise can enhance patient safety and surgical team performance.

Keywords: Noise; Operating room; Patients; OR staff; Noise reduction program

Introduction

The noise is defined as disagreeable and unwanted sound. Environmental noise pollution is contemplated as general stressor, augmenting mental stress, favors the development of cardiovascular disease and hearing loss [1,2].

The noise effects in the Operating Room (OR) were first noticed in the 1970’s. In 1972, Shapiro and Baland [3] recorded noise levelsin the OR and found that he is equaled the noise of a freeway. They defined noise in the OR as ”third pollution” and thereby equated noise with air and water pollution. Since then, the noise is considered as a major problem in the OR like sterilization and air pollution, furthermore, scientists focused on studying noise levels, his effects on both patients and staff, also, they studied the ways we can decrease highnoise levels in the OR and respect WHO threshold.

These days, high noise levels in the OR are frequent and exceed the threshold of 30dB fixed by World Health Organization [4], the American occupational Safety, and Health Administration Standard [5]. Nevertheless, noise levels in operating rooms have been shown to be high [average 50-75 dB , maximum peak 80-120 dB] and exceed the WHO levels [3].

Noise pollution in the OR affect in a negative way patient’s safety and staff well-being [6]. Patients are vulnerable to high noise levels because of their situation in the hospital that’s made it hard for them to deal with stress [7]. Moreover, the high noise levels especially the impaired communication impacts negatively the OR staff performance [8-10]. The purpose of our study was to register the noise levels in the operating rooms of our hospital in the induction phase of general anesthesia, the main sources of noise, the effects of noise on patients and staff, and the means of prevention.

Materials and Methods

This descriptive quantitative and observational study took place in the operating rooms of the Military training hospital Mohammed V –Rabat.

All the operating rooms were included: 2 orthopedic operating theatres, 1 neurosurgery, 1 ophthalmology, 1 stomatology, 1 ENT, 2 visceral surgery, 1 thoracic surgery, and 1 gynecology-obstetrics. 10 operating rooms were included in this study, with collection of data for one week. The emergency operating room is excluded.

The measurements were done with a phone application named Sonometre. The sound level meter was placed preoperatively 1.5 m above the ground and 2 m from the anesthesia unit toward the surgical field, taking care to maintain the surgical area’s sterility and not disrupt the surgical procedure. Measurements were performed on weekdays.

To register noise, we divided the operating rooms into three areas:

-First area: near the tables containing surgical instruments, we measured the noise coming from instruments, conversations, and phones rings.

-Second area: near the respirator and scope, we measured the noise of the alarms.

-Third area: all the room, the Sonometre is placed in the room’s corner and measures all the noise.

When the patient arrives, we start general anesthesia induction in the presence of physician anesthesiologist and the nurse, in the same time the surgical team prepares the surgical boxes and operating table. Also, we verify his medical folder and identity. The monitoring is installed and the venous line is taken.

Trainees and residents are always present at the moment of induction.

Results

The number of people present in each room varies between 6 and 10 persons, with a total of30 patients concerned by the study.The median room noise level measured was 65 dB and the maximum noise level reached 68,5 dB.

The noise emanating from instrument boxes (78dB) and ventilator (78 dB) were the highest, and the lowest noise levels were coming from phones (55 dB) and the opening of the bags (58 dB) (Figure 1).