ABSTRACT

In this study; phsycological, cardiovascular and unwanted effects on human health of noise has been shown. It increases adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisole secretion from adrenal cortex. The noise causes unwanted advers effects on patients and health care workers. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that noise levels should not exceed 35 dB (A) daytime and 30 dB (A) nighttime. Human voice is one of the preventable noise sources. In this study; it is aimed to determine whether there is a difference in noise levels at different days and times of the week in our intensive care unit and to investigate the effectiveness of the consciousness raising and awareness training applied to intensive care workers.

The intensive care unit is separated to 6 rooms and 2 halls. The noise levels were measured with noise level measuring device in the morning (at 05.00, 09.00), noon (at 12.00), afternoon (at 14.00), evening (at 18.00), night (at 24.00); during shift changing times in the morning (at 08.00) and the evening (at 16.00) for 2 months. After first month, the consciousness raising and awareness training applied to all health care workers. Also the effectiveness of training was evaluated by an examination consisting of same questions before and after the training. In our study, after the awareness and awareness training that will be applied to the intensive care workers, the difference between the noise levels was assessed with the repetition of measurements made at the same time intervals.

In the measurements made, a significant decrease observed after training, as well as the noise levels during the day being higher than WHO.

Human resource, education and inspection are important factors on preventing the noise in intensive care unit. The desired level was not obtained, it is thought that the noise can be reduced by following the awareness.

Keywords: Noise, stress, education, intensive care unit