Evaluation of potential noise exposures in hospital operating rooms

Publié le 19 mars 2013 • Catégorie(s) : Risques physiques • Mot(s) clef(s) : bruit

Auteur    Lilia Chen
Auteur    Scott E Brueck
Auteur    Maureen T Niemeier
Résumé    The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health received a health hazard evaluation request from West Virginia University Hospital, Morgantown, to evaluate noise exposures from surgical instruments in the OR. Four surgical technologists, four RNs, and one surgeon wore noise dosimeters to measure full-shift personal noise exposures during two days while they performed typical daily activities. Measurements did not exceed Occupational Safety and Health Administration or National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health noise exposure limits; however, area sound level measurements indicated that some intermittent activities can generate sound levels above 90 A-weighted decibels. Examples include surgery preparation, drilling or noise from other powered surgical instruments during surgeries, and clean up. Preventive maintenance of powered surgical instruments can reduce noise exposures, and noise output should be considered when selecting replacement instruments. Keeping music at a low level and using hearing protection are other interventions to consider to improve noise levels in an OR.
Publication    AORN journal
Volume    96
Numéro    4
Pages    412-418
Date    Oct 2012