DOI: 10.4103/joacc.joacc_18_26 ISSN: 2249-4472

Noise During Anesthetic Induction in Obstetric Operating Rooms: A Prospective Observational Study

Abhishek Moses, Vighnesh Ashok, Ishwar Bhukal, Vanita Jain
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Abstract

Background:

Excessive noise in the operating room during anesthetic induction has shown to have negative consequences for healthcare workers and patients. Data regarding noise levels during anesthetic induction in obstetric theaters in India is lacking.

Aim:

Report noise during anesthetic induction for caesarean deliveries.

Methods:

One hundred patients scheduled for caesarean delivery were recruited. Baseline, time-weighted (TW) maximum, minimum and average, and peak noise levels were measured during anesthetic induction using a decibel meter (Decibel X Software, SkyPaw Co Ltd, Hanoi, Vietnam). At the end of surgery, patients reported their satisfaction with OR noise on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results:

The overall mean TW average and maximum noise were 32.4 ± 7.51 dBA and 56.02 ± 6.74 dBA, respectively. The mean TW average dBA did not differ significantly between elective ( n = 47) and emergency ( n = 53) caesarean deliveries [32.64 ± 4.32 vs. 32.18 ± 9.46, MD (95%CI) –0.46 (–3.33 to 2.52), P = 0.76]. The mean TW average dBA was significantly lower in caesarean deliveries done at night ( n = 38) compared to those done in the day ( n = 62) [30.78 ± 5.08 vs. 34.27 ± 6.90, MD (95%CI) –3.49 (–6.05 to –0.92), P = 0.008]. 92 (92%) patients reported being satisfied with the noise levels during anesthetic induction.

Conclusion:

The TW average noise levels reported in our study were within the recommendation of ≤45 dBA for hospitals. Mean TW average noise levels during anesthetic induction in our obstetric theaters did not differ significantly between elective and emergency caesareans, but was significantly lower in the night compared to day.

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