ABSTRACT
Background: Noise is an important aspect of the ward atmosphere climate - the combination of the architectural solutions, organizational features, the psychological traits of the operators and their interactions, and the patients' characteristics. Despite its importance noise levels have been less analyzed than other aspects of the ward atmosphere climate. Aim: In this study the aim is to identify the sources of noise and the sound pressure level in an acute psychiatric ward, and secondly to ascertain whether this is perceived by inpatients as disturbing. Method: The sound pressure levels were measured during three nonconsecutive mornings, three afternoons, and three nights. A questionnaire was administered to ascertain patients' opinions about the noise in the ward. Results: The average noise level in the ward was 62.5 dB(A)eq in the morning, 55.8 in the afternoon, and 51.5 at night. A total of 23 patients took part in the study: 65.2% of this sample did not perceive the noise in the ward as disturbing. Conclusion: In a psychiatric ward, the main source of noise is the verbal communication, and acoustic pressure also derived from care activities based around relationships. Other sources of noise perceived as disturbing came from the opening and closing of doors and the entry doorbell. Adopting relational and architectural-structural measures could reduce the sound pressure, with a view to further improving the ambience in the ward.
Subject(s)
Noise , Psychiatric Department, Hospital , Adult , Female , Health Facility Environment , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The main objectives of this study were: (i) to compare commonly used personal samplers and verify their collection efficiency with regards to submicron particles; (ii) to investigate how the submicron particles deposit onto the filter surface in order to assess the homogeneity of the deposition; (iii) to estimate the biases which could affect results when number concentration values have to be determined by particle counting. A method based on image analysis (IA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is developed and adopted to investigate a large numbers of particles. Four different personal samplers were tested: the IOM sampler, the Button sampler and the German GSP for the inhalable aerosol fraction; the PEM sampler for the thoracic aerosol fraction. In order to investigate how particles distribute on the filters surface, the area of each filter was virtually divided into circular concentric areas or deposition zones (DZ). Results from different DZ of the same filter were compared. Uniformity of deposition was mostly observed for three of the four tested samplers. A significant radial distribution was observed only for the GSP sampler. The major homogeneity was found for the Button sampler. In order to estimate the relative collection efficiency between samplers, particles number concentrations determined by particle counting were compared. The GSP sampler provided the greatest concentrations but also the greatest variability. The PEM sampler provided the lowest concentrations. The homogeneity of particle deposition on the filter surface mostly affected results when counting is performed on localized areas of the filter.
