Avaliação dos níveis de ruído em estabelecimentos assistenciais de saúde - estudo de caso

Abstract

It has been noticed, at the health Assistance Establishments (EAS), higher and higher levels of noise, causing discomfort, interfering in the patient s rest, sleep and on the activities carried out. It was evaluated, through a qualitative-quantitative research, the noise in three units in a hospital (Pediatric, Labor room and New-born ICT), situated on an avenue with intensive traffic. The quantitative analysis was conducted through equivalent sound pressure level (LAEQ) and maximum and minimum levels. The qualitative study consisted of: appointments (sound sources and physical characteristics of the building), semi-structured interviews (employees, attendants and patients, over 16 years old) and observations (routine and equipments) the levels of the measured sounds, in all three environments, were above the recommendations, presenting, at certain hours and places, as very unpleasant, during the interviews. The reflecting physical characteristics of the buildings of the HAE, the high number of equipments some of them with inadequate isolation and placement and the openings (windows and doors) with inefficient enclosure, contribute for high levels of noise. The traffic, the construction (the enlargement of the hospital) and the comprehension bombs are said as uncomfortable. Medicine and meals carts are examples which depend on a momentary connotation (shots, pain relief, snacks, etc.). The research shows that several factors are able to generate and increase the noise levels in a hospital environment; therefore there is a necessity of detailed and contextualized analysis, accomplishing more adequate solutions.