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The impact of a noise reduction quality improvement project upon sound levels in the open-unit-design neonatal intensive care unit

Journal of Perinatology volume 30, pages 489–496 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To decrease measured sound levels in the neonatal intensive care unit through implementation of human factor and minor design modification strategies.

Study Design:

Prospective time series. Two open-unit-design neonatal centers.

Result:

Implementation of a coordinated program of noise reduction strategies did not result in any measurable improvement in levels of loudness or quiet.

Conclusion:

Two centers, using primarily human behavior noise reduction strategies, were unable to demonstrate measurable improvements in sound levels within the occupied open-unit-design neonatal intensive care unit.

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Acknowledgements

This work was completed as part of the NIC/Q 2005 Collaborative to Improve Neonatal Care, which was sponsored by the Vermont Oxford Network. Special thanks to Rob Archer, BS, RRT, and Marilyn Farley, NNP, for their individual efforts in coordination of sound measurements at Benefis and TCH. We also thank the representatives of the participating centers that contributed their efforts to the results reported in this paper: Benefis Healthcare: Beckett Perkins, NNP; Vicki Birkeland, RN, BSN; Cheryl Worden, RN; Mississippi Baptist Medical Center: Amanda McGruder; Sanjosa Martin, RN; Jack Owens, MD; Sunnybrook Health Science Center: Daniel Hong, RRT; Michael Dunn, MD; Elizabeth MacMillan-York, The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida: Pamela Laferriere, NNP; Dee Overbeck, NNP; Lorna Forchin, NNP; Sandy Blackington, RNC, MS; Sandra Eanes-McGugan, RN, BSN; Wesley Medical Center: Paula Delmore, RNC, MSN; Susan Laudert, MD. We thank Stanley Graven, MD, for clinical expertise and James Handyside for expert facilitation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida, Fort Myers, FL, USA, on behalf of the NIC/Q 2005 Physical Environment Exploratory Group,

    W F Liu

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  1. W F Liu
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Correspondence to W F Liu.

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Liu, W. The impact of a noise reduction quality improvement project upon sound levels in the open-unit-design neonatal intensive care unit. J Perinatol 30, 489–496 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2009.188

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