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Perceived Noise Sources and Their Association with Nurses’ Health and Work Performance in Intensive Care Units: A Multicenter Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Modern healthcare environments expose staff to various occupational stressors, with noise being among the most common and harmful stressors. In intensive care units (ICUs), both patients and nurses are frequently exposed to unsafe noise levels, which can adversely affect well-being, recovery, and work performance. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify sources of noise and their adverse effects from the perspective of ICU nurses, and to examine associations between noise perception, demographic and job-related variables, and outcomes across four domains: subjective, emotional, physiological, and work performance. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to September 2023 among 100 ICU nurses employed in three Croatian hospitals: Zagreb, Pula and Slavonski Brod. Data were collected using a validated three-part questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: < 0.05). Significant relationships were found between noise exposure and outcomes across all four domains. CONCLUSIONS: Noise in ICUs poses a health risk to both patients and nurses, impairing well-being and work performance. Implementing effective noise reduction strategies should be prioritized in critical care settings.

Source: Healthcare

DOI: 10.3390/healthcare13212790

Authors: Biljana Filipović, Tea Bernardić, Snježana Čukljek, Adriano Friganović, Danijela Kundrata, Sanja Ledinski

Institutions: University of Rijeka, University of Applied Health Sciences, Klinički bolnički centar Osijek, University Hospital Centre Zagreb

Language: English

Topic: Noise Effects and Management

Subfield: Speech and Hearing

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258