The Effect of Noise Levels in the Operating Room on the Stress Levels and Workload of the Operating Room Team

Abstract

The research was conducted to evaluate the noise levels and the effect of noise on the workload and stress levels of the operating room (OR) staff of a public hospital. Design: Descriptive and cross-sectional study. Methods: The data were obtained by measuring ambient noise during 403 orthopaedic, urological, and general surgeries on weekdays between July and October 2019. We measured the noise by dividing the surgery into three phases. These phases are as follows: from the entry of the patient, induction of anesthesia, and preparation of the surgical area until the start of the procedure (Phase I), from the incision until the completion of closure and dressing application (Phase II), from the completion of closure and dressing application until the exit of the patient (Phase III). Furthermore, the workload and stress levels of 45 OR staff who work in the general surgery, orthopaedics, and urology ORs were measured. Data were collected using a CA 834 noise measurement device, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form TX-I), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Task Load Index Workload Scale, and Information form related to surgery and ORs. Findings: The noise in the OR was higher than 35 dB, A-weighted [dB(A)], the limit proposed by the World Health Organization for hospitals. Phase I average noise level was 63.00 ± 3.50, Phase II average noise level was 62.94 ± 3.75, and Phase III average noise level was 63.67 ± 2.81. The mean anxiety score was 34.50 ± 6.09. The total workload level was found to be 56.91 ± 15.67. Anxiety scores and workload scores had positive weak and moderate correlations with noise levels (P < .01). Conclusions: The noise in the OR was high, and anxiety scores and workload scores correlated positively with noise levels.

Influence of Workload, Personality, and Psychological Flexibility on Occupational Stress Among Medical Staff: A Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis

“…It is generally believed that demographic factors, social psychological factors, and personality are related to occupational stress (15,19), while excessive workload, task conflicts, and exposure to occupational hazards in the workplace are risk factors for stress (18,41,42). In this study, we found that personality, psychological flexibility, and role overload were associated with PSY and PHS among the medical staff.…”

Examining the views of operating room nurses and physicians on the relationship between professional values and professional communication

“…Other contributory factors are assignment of too many responsibilities to one individual, workplace ergonomics, such as noise, too much reliance on paperwork for communication, and preoccupation with the main purpose of professional communications, i.e., caring for patients, at the cost of the other aspects of professional communications, including consulting others, transferring experiences, professional training, and teamwork. According to Bellandi (2018), physicians and nurses spend a large amount of their time filling out forms in hospitals [ 24 , 25 ].…”

Perceived Occupational Noise Exposure and Depression in Young Finnish Adults

“…Occupational noise annoyance has been significantly related to mental health, including depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation [ 24 ]. In a study of the effects of noise on the workload and stress levels of operating room staff, anxiety and workload scores were positively correlated with noise levels [ 25 ]. Noise is also one of the occupational hazards affecting job stress [ 26 ].…”