Evaluation of medical staff and patients on the sound environment in a Chinese hospital based on a questionnaire survey

摘要

Noise pollution in hospitals is becoming an increasingly serious concern across the world. Based on a questionnaire survey, the sound environment in 6 departments in a general hospital in China has been investigated from the perspectives of both medical staff and patients. In total, 434 valid questionnaires were collected, including 243 patients and 191 staff. It is shown that equipment alarms are recognised as the most annoying noise in critical care wards, whereas talking is more significant in general wards. Agreed by both patients and staff, acoustic environment is considered as the most important physical environmental factor, compared with temperature, humidity, lighting and air quality. Noises have already affected patients' sleep and staff working efficiency. In particular 43.6% of the patients experienced sleep interruption by noises. It has been shown nurses and doctors are more concerned with noises than patients. There are also significant differences between staff and patients, with regard to the strategies for the improvement of sound environment. Staff in general wards believe reducing the talking level from patients' families might be more effective, while patients recommend more single-bed wards to be designed. Moreover, acoustic treatments and reduction of noise from medical equipment are suggested by ICU staff.