Amidst the clamor: Effects of emergency department noise on Physicians' health and attention

Taskin Ö., DİŞEL N. R., Yilmaz M.

American Journal of Emergency Medicine, cilt.76, ss.87-92, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 76
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ajem.2023.11.007
  • Dergi Adı: American Journal of Emergency Medicine
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.87-92
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Emergency department, Noise, Physician, Sound intensity, Stroop test
  • Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: This study aims to assess effects of noise on physicians' stress levels and attention capacities within an emergency department. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 15 physicians from a state hospital emergency department with 300,000 annual visits provided demographics, work factors, and physiologic data. Attention was evaluated through smartphone-based Stroop tests, while noise and heart rates were monitored via smartwatches. Results: Median physician age was 26, with 16 months' emergency department experience. Average sound intensity was 68.80 dB. Despite noise, physicians in green/yellow areas showed increased Stroop scores (p = 0.002). Heart rate responses correlated with noise changes. End-of-shift surveys highlighted physicians' adaptability and resilience to high noise levels. Conclusion: Noisy emergency departments pose health risks to physicians, but noise-related stress did not significantly affect attention, beneficial for patient care.