Noise Pollution in Public Hospitals of Sari (Iran) in 2015

Hospital as a health care services provider, is affected by noise pollution sources. This problem can have negative impacts on health and well-being of patients and staff. Therefore, this study was performed to measure noise levels in Public Hospitals of Sari, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted in four public hospitals of Sari in spring 2015. Sound pressure level was measured in operating rooms, intensive care units (ICUs) and emergency department during ordinary days and holidays in two shifts (morning from 8 to 12 AM and afternoon from 14 to 18 PM), using a sound level meter. Sound threshold limits were defined as 35 and 30 dBA in day and night, respectively. In this survey, Imam and Fatima Zahra Hospitals were the noisiest and the quietest ones with the mean sound levels of 55.88+7.18 dB and 50+4.64 dB, respectively. Also, the operating room of Bu-Ali Sina Hospital and the ICU of Fatima Zahra Hospital were the most crowded and the quietest wards with 67 dB and 46.5 dB sound intensities, respectively. There were no significant differences between the average sound levels measured in the morning and the evening of ordinary days and holidays (p<0.07). According to the results, the sound levels in the hospitals of Sari are higher than the standard limits. Informing and training the personnel can play an important role in controlling the sound, and therefore, in improving the quality of medical services in care centers.