Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Cádiz, República Saharahui s/n, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
Research Article
The Need to Implement Noise Reduction Measurements in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Hospitals in Low and Middle Income Countries-a Case Study
Author(s): David Emmanuel Del Pozo, Natalia Carolina Donoso*, Galo Antonio Ojeda, Bryan Gabriel Valle and Manuel Jesús Gázquez
Purpose: Improving the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) noise conditions in public hospitals is challenging, especially in low and middle-income countries. The Isidro Ayora General Hospital in Loja-Ecuador does not fall out of this reality. Therefore, this case study evaluates the noise levels in a NICU of a public hospital and proposes a noise mitigation program based on the obtained results.
Methods: A descriptive, observational, and quantitative study was carried out to determine the A decibels to which newborns at two NICUs are exposed. An HD2010UC/A Class 1 integrating portable sound level meter was used to detect noise pollution. Data were recorded in 60 seconds intervals during 24 continuous hours for 7 days. The device was placed at the basic (NICU-B) and intensive-intermediate (NICU-IEI) units, considering height and wall proximi.. View More»
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