114 Tackling Noise Pollution in Hospitals: A Pre-Feasibility Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i12-i42
Author(s):  
N Paul ◽  
A Xyrichis

Abstract   This study aimed to better understand appropriate interventions aimed at reducing hospital ward noise and the subsequent impact this would have on inpatient experience. Service users consistently reported that noise pollution was the most detrimental factor in their recovery in hospital, principally due to its effects on sleep. Methods To aid usability and data collection the Richards- Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) was adapted into an electronic format with a sliding Likert scale using QuestionPro Software3. Qualitative patient interviews, the RCSQ and ward decibel measurements were recorded on Henry and Anne wards at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London. 20 patients were interviewed (12F, 8 M), with 3 being ultimately discounted due to severe cognitive impairment. Results were collated and will be presented as part of a pre-feasibility evaluation of the tools to measure patient sleep and experience of ward noise. Results: The mean of the responses from the 17 patients interviewed were calculated and graphically displayed. Of interest, 87.5% found the questionnaire straightforward to understand, but only 18.75% found it easy to complete (due to technological unfamiliarity). Conclusion and discussion Patients reported a consistently reported a less than optimal night’s sleep on the ward, with light sleep and increased time to fall asleep being key factors. Although visits were restricted to the “quietest” times on the ward, noise measurements consistently exceeded WHO recommendations of 40 dB. Subsequently excessive night-time noise created by other patients as well as staff was cited as the principal causes of poor sleep, with ward lighting being another cause. Results from this study have provided the justification for sound-masking technology to be trialled on inpatient wards, with the view of decreasing unpleasant ward noise and improving patient rest and recovery.

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (04) ◽  
pp. 1550037
Author(s):  
Sana’a Odat

Noise defined as any sound that annoys or disturbs humans or that causes or tends to cause an adverse psychological and physiological effect on humans. Irbid is one of the most populated cities in Jordan. It is environmentally noise polluted due to the rapid and widespread introduction of mechanical methods for production and for their transportation. L10, L50, L90 and LAeq noise levels were measured during the day time and night time to assess and evaluate the noise levels from mosques, schools, celebration halls, streets, building works, industrial areas and commercial areas. The results of the investigation showed that the measured noise levels from all the selected sources were high during the day time and the noise problem is not only limited to day time, but continues in night time in this city. These noise levels were higher than those set by Jordanian limits during day time and night time. A significant correlation between the measured statistical noise levels L10, L50 and L90 and equivalent continuous noise level LAeq were also detected. The mean value of industrial noise source was motors of large vehicles and engines. Whereas the presence of slow moving vehicles, low speed and honking of horns during traffic ingestion periods lead to an increase in noise levels in commercial areas. The noise from building machines and equipment (dredges, concrete mixers, concrete pumps and jackhammers) is quite different from that of traditional equipment. The construction machines have engines that produce a loud, fluctuating noise with varying frequencies that can propagate the sound for a long distance. The noise produced by these engines is particularly disturbing due to the wide variations in frequency and volume.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair M. Sammon ◽  
Eugene J. Ndebia ◽  
Ekambaram Umapathy ◽  
Jehu E. Iputo

Background. Previous studies have established norms of 24-hour gastric pH profiles for western countries. This study was designed to establish the pattern for a rural African population with a high incidence of oesophageal cancer.Methods. After lower oesophageal manometry a probe was placed 10 cm distal to the lower oesophageal sphincter. We carried out 24-hour ambulatory monitoring of gastric pH on 59 healthy subjects. This was satisfactorily completed on 26 female and 18 male (age 21–64, median 35) subjects in the Transkei region of South Africa.Results. The mean 24 hour gastric pH was 2.84 and the mean night-time pH was 3.7. 40 volunteers recorded a night-time pH reaching over 4. 33 volunteers recorded a night-time pH over 7. Night-time alkalinisation was present for 136.4 minutes (25th centile 22.8, 75th centile 208.1) at pH4 or over, and 79.3 (2.5, 122.7) minutes at pH7 or over. Episodes of rapid alkaline rise were 17 (10, 47). 21.1% of these occurred while supine. 35 of 36 tested subjects were positive forH. pyloriIgG.Conclusion. Gastric alkalinisation is common in Transkei, at a higher pH than that reported in other studies, and is sustained longer. Nighttime alkalinisation is frequent. This suggests a high level of duodenogastric reflux.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadreza Boostaneh ◽  
Mohammad Zirak ◽  
Ramezan Fallah

Abstract Purpose: This study aimed to assess the burden of care and its relationship with sleep quality of cancer patients’ caregivers.Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in a referral center of cancer in Zanjan, northwest of Iran. 135 caregivers of cancer patients were recruited through convenience sampling method. The data were collected using a demographic characteristics questionnaire, Novak and Guest’s caregiver burden inventory and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: The mean (± SD) age of the participants was 39.71 (± 10.74) years. The mean (± SD) burden of care and sleep quality of the participants was 45.22 (± 17.75) and 8.88 (± 4.21), respectively. It was found that there is a significant positive relationship between burden of care and quality of sleep scores (r = 0.65, P < 0.001).Conclusion: cancer patients’ caregivers endure a remarkable burden of care and their sleep quality is undesirable. Results indicated that an increase in the burden of care reduces the caregiver’s quality of sleep. High burden of care and poor sleep quality may reduce the quality of the provided care that increase the costs and weakens the disease prognosis. According to the study results, reducing burden of care is an effective strategy regarding improving the caregivers’ quality of sleep that can improve the quality of provided cares by caregivers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 154 (A2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R C Leaper ◽  
M R Renilson

Underwater noise pollution from shipping is of considerable concern for marine life, particularly due to the potential for raised ambient noise levels in the 10-300Hz frequency range to mask biological sounds. There is widespread agreement that reducing shipping noise is both necessary and feasible, and the International Maritime Organization is actively working on the issue. The main source of noise is associated with propeller cavitation, and measures to improve propeller design and wake flow may also reduce noise. It is likely that the noisiest 10% of ships generate the majority of the noise impact, and it may be possible to quieten these vessels through measures that also improve efficiency. However, an extensive data set of full scale noise measurements of ships under operating conditions is required to fully understand how different factors relate to noise output and how noise reduction can be achieved alongside energy saving measures.


2021 ◽  
pp. 25-27
Author(s):  
Umesh kr. Mishra ◽  
Sunita Tiwari ◽  
Sumit Rungta ◽  
Pooja Mishra ◽  
Gulam Akhtar

Background: Night time reux has been shown to be associated with fragmented sleep. However, few studies have assessed the quality of sleep on gastroesophageal reux and the impact of gastroesophageal reux on reported quality of sleep and quality of sleep on gastroesophageal reux. The aims of this study were to evaluate the quality of sleep and other parameters in patients with gastroesophageal reux disease.50 Subjects with typical GERD symptoms ≥3 times a week and All subjects were administered 3 questionnaires: PSQI , ESS, GERD-HRQL . All the subjects underwent nocturnal polysomnography and completed a all 3 questionnaire before NPSG. Results: Overall ,the mean percentage of N1 was 9.10±9.74 ,N2 was 83.97±13.81 , N3 was 3.44±4.16 , N4 was 0.60±2.04 , REM was 2.14±3.79 , PSQI was 12.48±1.23 , ESS was 11.80±0.76 , TST (hr) was 5.19±0.74 , SPT(hr) was 6.58±0.77 , sleep efciency(%) was 52.50±27.16 , Latency (mint) was 22.79±30.85 , REM Latency (mints) was 96.99±151.86 ,and Microarousal index was 36.05±25.93 . To assess the potential impact of sleep quality via nocturnal polysomnography on severity of gastroesophageal reux , we performed correlations between the GERD questionnaire and nocturnal polysomnography reports . We observed that PSQI(r= -0.285, p<0.045) , ESS(r=0.206, p=0.05) , N1(r=0.202 , p>0.160) , N2(r=- 0.045 ,p>0.758) , N3(r=-0.079, p>0.583) , N4(r-0.209 ,p>0.145),REM(r=0.045 ,p>0.756) , TST(r=0.036 ,p>0.803), SPT(r=0.015,p>0.917) , Sleep Efciency (r=-0.113,p>0.435) , Sleep Latency (r=-0.045 ,p>0.756), REM Latency (r=0.165, p >0.253), Microarousal index (r=0.058 , p>0.683). Conclusions: Gastroesophageal reux disease and sleep disorders are extremely prevalent conditions, and it seems intuitive that there must be some overlap between the two. Sleep disorders may in fact be one of the most prevalent of the extraesophageal complications of GERD and often goes unrecognized.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Ranij Shrestha ◽  
Alankar Kafle ◽  
Kul Prasad Limbu

The environmental noise level measurement in Dharan and Inaruwa cities of eastern Nepal were conducted and compared with the ambient noise standards provided by Government of Nepal. The noise pollution assessment was performed in autumn and winter seasons by the indicator average day time sound pressure level (Ld, during 7.00 to 22.00 hrs) and average night time sound pressure level (Ln, during 22.00 to 7.00 hrs). The Ld and Ln values at the commercial, silence and residential zones of Dharan were 78 to 82 and 72 to 73, 65 to 73 and 60 to 70, 65 to 76 and 62 to 64 dB(A) in autumn and 78 to 79 and 72 to 76, 64 to 71 and 58 to 68, 63 to 74 and 60 to 62 dB(A) in winter, respectively whereas for Inaruwa, measurement were 75 to 77 and 73 to 75, 59 and 57, 67 and 60 dB(A) in autumn and 66 to 70 and 63 to 68, 55 and 53, 65 and 58 dB(A) in winter, respectively. The results showed that noise levels exceeded the standard value at most of the sites.


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 14347-14386
Author(s):  
A. K. Benton ◽  
J. M. Langridge ◽  
S. M. Ball ◽  
W. J. Bloss ◽  
M. Dall'Osto ◽  
...  

Abstract. Broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (BBCEAS) has been used to measure the sum of concentrations of NO3 and N2O5 from the BT (telecommunications) Tower 160 m above street level in central London during the REPARTEE II campaign in October and November 2007. Substantial variability was observed in these night-time nitrogen compounds: peak NO3+N2O5 mixing ratios reached 800 pptv, whereas the mean night-time NO3+N2O5 was approximately 30 pptv. Additionally, [NO3+N2O5] showed negative correlations with [NO] and [NO2] and a positive correlation with [O3]. Co-measurements of temperature and NO2 from the BT Tower were used to calculate the equilibrium partitioning between NO3 and N2O5 which was always found to strongly favour N2O5 (NO3/N2O5=0.01 to 0.04). Two methods are used to calculate the lifetimes for NO3 and N2O5, the results being compared and discussed in terms of the implications for the night-time oxidation of nitrogen oxides and the night-time sinks for NOy.


1997 ◽  
Vol 171 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice M. Ohayon ◽  
Malijaï Caulet ◽  
Robert G. Priest ◽  
Christian Guilleminault

BackgroundThe complex nature of insomnia and its relationship with organic and mental disorders render diagnosis problematic for epidemiologists and physicians.MethodA representative UK sample (non-institutionalised, > 14 years old) was interviewed by telephone (n=4972; 79.6% participation rate) with the Sleep-EVAL system. Subjects fell into three groups according to presence of insomnia symptom (s) and/or sleep dissatisfaction.ResultsInsomnia symptoms occurred in 36.2% of subjects. Most of these (75.9%), however, reported no sleep dissatisfaction. In comparison, those also with sleep dissatisfaction had higher prevalence of sleep and mental disorders and longer duration of insomnia symptoms, and were more likely to take sleep-promoting medication, dread bedtime, and complain of light sleep, poor night-time sleep and daytime sleepiness.ConclusionsInsomnia sufferers differ as to whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with sleep. Although insomnia symptoms are common in the general population, sleep disturbances among sleep-dissatisfied individuals are more severe. Sleep dissatisfaction seems a better indicator of sleep pathology than insomnia symptoms.


Author(s):  
Wenwen Wu ◽  
Wenru Wang ◽  
Zhuangzhuang Dong ◽  
Yaofei Xie ◽  
Yaohua Gu ◽  
...  

Background: There is limited population-based research focusing on sleep quality among low-income Chinese adults in rural areas. This study aimed to assess sleep quality among low-income adults in a rural area in China and identify the association between sleep quality and sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related factors. Methods: The study was conducted from September to November in 2017 using a cross-sectional survey questionnaire. A total of 6905 participants were recruited via multistage, stratified cluster sampling. Data were collected using the Chinese versions of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Food Frequency Questionnaire, while we also determined the sociodemographic profiles of the participants. Results: The mean age of the sample was 58.71 ± 14.50 years, with 59.7% being male, while the mean duration of daily sleep was 5.95 ± 1.31 h, with 56.7% reportedly experiencing poor sleep quality. Multiple regression analysis revealed that older age, unemployment, lower income, disability and chronic disease comorbidities were significant factors associated with an increased risk of poor sleep quality for both genders. Moreover, married and higher education level were associated with decreased risk of poor sleep quality for females, while a meat-heavy diet and illness during the past two weeks increased the risk of poor sleep quality for males. Conclusions: Sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related factors had an impact on the frequently poor sleep quality of low-income Chinese adults in rural areas. Thus, comprehensive measures must be developed to address the modifiable predictive factors that can possibly enhance sleep quality.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
WAZIR ALAM ◽  
Ramtharmawi Nungate

Abstract Noise pollution assessment was carried out in selected traffic junctions of Imphal city of Manipur, India. The noise pollution assessment was carried out using noise parameters and indices such as L10, L50, L90, Leq for selected traffic junctions during the different periods of the day, i.e., morning, noon, and evening hours. The study of equivalent noise level (Leq), noise parameters, and various noise indices have enabled the evaluation of the overall traffic noise environment of the city. The traffic noise indices such as traffic noise index (TNI), noise climate (NC), traffic noise pollution level (LNP), noise exposure index (NEI) along with day time (LD), night time (LN) average, and day-night (Ldn) noise levels were assessed for the selected traffic junctions. Moreover, spatial noise mapping was carried out using the geostatistical interpolation technique to evaluate the changes of traffic noise scenarios during the different time zones of the day. The Leq values in few traffic junctions exceeded the required noise standards. The study shows equivalent noise level ranging between 52.2–69.9 dB(A) during the morning (7–10 am), 52.4–69.3 dB(A) during noon (12 noon-2 pm), and 54.6–71.1 dB(A) during the evening (4–7 pm) hours, respectively.


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