[Evaluation of strategies aimed at reducing the level of noise in different areas of neonatal care in a tertiary hospital].

OBJECTIVE To determine the noise levels of different areas responsible for newborn care, develop intervention strategies to decrease the noise, and evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS Prospective, observational and longitudinal study carried out using a sonometer, measuring sound levels for three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), neonatal intermediate care unit (UCIREN), delivery (TOCO QX) and nursery (CUNERO) units. We implemented an intervention program and subsequent measurements were performed under the same initial conditions. RESULTS When comparing the decibel levels in different areas during the three weeks, pre- and post-intervention, we found at the neonatal intensive care unit 59.9±4.8 vs. 56.4±4.7 dB (p<0.001), neonatal intermediate care unit 55.3±3.9 vs. 51.3±4.4 dB (p<0.001), delivery unit 57.3±4.6 vs. 57.3±5.5 dB (NS), and nursery unit 57.6±5.8 vs. 53.9±5.8 dB (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS There was a significant reduction in noise levels of 3.5 dB at the NICU, 4 dB at UCIREN and 3.7 dB at TOCO QX, so the intervention program was effective in these areas; however, the decibel levels registered continue above those recommended by international standards.