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Effect of "quiet time" to reduce noise at the neonatal intensive care unit

Objective:

To identify and compare the Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) inside the incubators at an NICU with and without the quiet-time intervention.

Methods:

Quantitative, descriptive research project conducted at the NICU of a university hospital. A Quest 400 noise dosimeter was used for data collection. The sample comprised 261 hours of registers.

Results:

The results show that at the times pre-established for the interventions, the highest average equivalent noise pressure level (Leqaverage) were 58.5 dBA in room A and 53.1 dBA in room B. During other periods, a mean equivalent continuous noise level (Leqaverage) of 79.7 and 74.3 dBA was measured in both rooms, respectively.

Conclusion:

During the intervention periods, the SPLs are in accordance with the levels recommended by regulatory agencies, which reinforces the efficacy of quiet time. However, results point to the need to improve the acoustic profile of the neonate's micro and macro environments, since these work as an interrelated system.

Sleep; Humanization of care; Neonatal Nursing; Noise; Newborn


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