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Characterization and Perceptions of Noise in Nursing Homes

Dubin, Stacie R., Dubin

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2017, Master of Science, University of Toledo, Occupational Health (Industrial Hygiene).
An Abstract of Characterization and Perceptions of Noise in Nursing Homes by Stacie R. Dubin Submitted to the Graduate Faculty as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters of Science Degree in Occupational Health The University of Toledo December 2017 Medical staff has been shown to be exposed to noise and noise influence on work performance may affect patient care (Bharathan et al., 2007). Although research on noise has been conducted in hospitals, less has examined the nursing home environment and little attention has been given to noise and its impact on older adults. A relatively large number of nursing home residents and workers are potentially at risk to the effects of noise. Noise levels were measured at four nursing homes in Northwest Ohio to determine whether noise levels exceeded the EPA’s recommendation of noise levels in hospital environments. In addition, a survey was distributed to determine the perception of noise levels by healthcare employees in a nursing home and the effects on their physiological and psychological health. Noise levels were measured over three days at each Facility for 24-hours at one-minute intervals. Five occupied locations were sampled at each Facility: Nurses Station, Community Space, Resident Room, Dining Room, and Other. An Unoccupied Room was also sampled for comparison purposes. Noise levels were examined by day (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and night (10 a.m. to 7 a.m.). The in-person survey was a descriptive design and subjects were employees from the four nursing homes at least 18 years of age. Results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) demonstrated significant differences in noise levels by Facility (p<0.001) and Sampling Location (p<0.001). In general, the highest noise levels were seen in the Resident Room and Other space. The mean Leq daytime and nighttime levels were similar except in the Community Space and Nurses Station which decreased at night. All mean Leqs were below ACGIH occupational guidelines (85 dBA). All values, including the mean Leq, at each Facility were over EPA and WHO guidelines for hospitals during the Daytime and Nighttime. A total of 90 employees completed the surveys at the four nursing homes. The majority of the respondents described all four Facilities as being moderately noisy. Respondents agreed that mealtimes were one of the noisiest times in the facility. Three of the four Facilities identified the nurses station as one of the noisiest locations; however, this was inconsistent with measured noise levels.
April Ames (Committee Chair)
Victoria Steiner (Committee Member)
122 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Dubin, Dubin, S. R. (2017). Characterization and Perceptions of Noise in Nursing Homes [Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1513362995616053

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Dubin, Dubin, Stacie. Characterization and Perceptions of Noise in Nursing Homes. 2017. University of Toledo, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1513362995616053.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Dubin, Dubin, Stacie. "Characterization and Perceptions of Noise in Nursing Homes." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1513362995616053

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)