The effects of noise levels on nurses in intensive care units

Abstract

Background: Intensive care units (ICUs) are noisy environments, which may have negative psychological effects on nurses. Aims and objectives: To investigate the effects of the noise level of ICUs on nurses' burnout, job satisfaction, anxiety, psychological symptoms and general psychopathology level. Design: A descriptive and correlational study. Methods: The study was conducted with 150 intensive care nurses. A Type 2250-L Brüel & Kjær hand-held sound level meter was used for noise measurement. A Nurse Information Form, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Minnesora Satisfaction Questionnaire, Self-Report Inventory and Symptom Checklist-90 Revised were used for data collection. Results: The highest levels of noise (71 dB(A) and above) were measured in the neonatal, neurology and cardiovascular surgery ICUs. It was observed that noise level affected extrinsic satisfaction (F = 3·704; p = 0·027) and trait anxiety (F = 3·868; p = 0·023) of nurses. Conclusions: Noise levels in ICUs are well above the recommended levels, and this affects nurses' job satisfaction and anxiety levels. Relevance to clinical practice: More studies on the effects of noise levels on the physical and mental states of nurses working in ICUs are needed. Increased quality of patient care can be achieved by providing healthy working conditions for nurses working in special units such as ICUs. © 2019 British Association of Critical Care Nurses