Comparison of noise effects to state anxiety levels of patients and nurses

Abstract

Introduction

An quiet environment is comfortable and peaceful. Also, healthy and safety environment is a human right. But, exposure to noise may cause negative effects on psychology and performance. Also, it is a problem in public hospitals, because, noise is an important issue for both nurses and patients.

Objectives

The study was designed to determine decibel levels on the hospital's four unified clinics and compare noise effects to state anxiety levels of patients and nurses.

Methods

Information Form, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were applied to participating 40 patients and 14 nurses. A measurement of the sound level of unified clinics was performed for two days in the morning and after lunch for two days.

Results

The range of minimum to maximum decibel levels was significantly greater in nurses’ station (38.66 dB versus 82.48 dB) than patient rooms (24.61 dB versus 74.2 dB) (P < .05). 25 patients and 14 nurses stated that there was noise in the clinic. 19 patients and 10 nurses expressed that it caused a headache. The state anxiety levels were 39.29 ± 5.61 for nurses and 45.4 ± 4.86 for patients. The state anxiety level of patients were 44.83 ± 3.86 in 1. Clinic, 48.8 ± 4.37 in 2. Clinic, 43.82 ± 4.9 in 3. clinic, 44 ± 5.57 in 4. Clinic.

Conclusions

We should reduce the noise level to reduce the level of state anxiety. This study describes one reason to reduce peak noise levels on unified clinics. Standards applied across studies to measure and characterize acoustic environments are urgently needed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.