Table 2 Measures of the intervention
Noise traffic lights | Visualizing the thresholds of sound pressure level with noise traffic lights (company: SoundEar A/S; model: SoundEar® 3 310 [48]). For positioning, the noisiest locations were identified in advance (i.e. before the actual intervention) by working groups in the respective ICUsa. In each ICU, we installed a total of 3 noise traffic lights [48]. Depending on ICU and localization, the limits of the noise traffic lights were set between 59–67 dBAb for the yellow light and between 62–70 dBA for the red light |
Implementation of guidelines | The guidelines included immediate and medium-term measures, as well as measures with low and high organizational effort [18]. In addition, the guidelines considered the individual circumstances of the stations (e.g. type of staff, internal processes). For instance, the following measures were implemented: individual alarm management; adjustment of work processes, such as the restructuring of rounds; telephone calls and conversations outside the patient rooms or in a quiet manner; collegial advice during loud conversations; quiet times |
Further unit-based measures | These included preventive and noise-reducing measures: education through one-minute-wonders and informative material, such as posters regarding noise and its consequences; transparency through regular reporting of the interim results of the sound pressure level measurements; checking the correct adjustment of noise-generating technical devices; using stickers and postcards to inform external staff, visitors and relatives about the noise issue |