student research day - Case Western Reserve University School of ...

GEORGE L. ANESI
Noise Reduction in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
George L Anesi, BS, Lucas Donovan, BA, Monica Reddy, BA, Jason Young, BA, Emily Hull, BA, Audrey
Choi, BA, Tristan Klosterman, BA, Anne Newcomer, BA, King Ogbogu, BA, Thomas T Lai, MD, Cynthia F
Bearer, MD, PhD, Michele C Walsh, MD, MS
Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology
Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH; University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
In the intensive care unit, noise and other external stimuli have been documented to have adverse effects
on patients. The Yacker Tracker is a continuous sound meter without recording capabilities that may
provide a visual cue for caregivers and family members to reduce their noise levels in the NICU. We
hypothesized that with use of the Yacker Tracker, the number of events where noise levels exceeded 70
dB, the maximum sound levels (Lmax), would be reduced by 20%. Sound levels were recorded in two
different 6 bed nurseries for 24 hrs continuously at baseline with a SoundPro DL sound level meter.
Average sound level (Lavg), maximum sound level (Lmax), and the highest sound pressure level (Lpk)
were recorded at 60 second intervals. Lavg and Lmax were weighted using the slow A scale. After baseline
measurements, a Yacker Tracker was placed in each nursery in a central location. Caregivers were then
informed of the project and the Yacker Tracker was set to 70 dB for 24 hrs as an introductory period
before being set to 60 dB. After 1 week, post intervention measurements were made continuously for 24
hrs and compared to baseline measurements. Both nurseries had significant decreases in the amount of
time Lavg was above 60 dB. Nursery A also had a significant decrease in the amount of time Lmax was
above 70 dB, and nursery B had a significant decrease in the amount of time Lmax was above 60 dB. The
Yacker Tracker is an inexpensive tool to help decrease noise in the NICU. In conjunction with caregiver
education, the Yacker Tracker significantly reduced noise levels in the NICU after 1 week. With longer use,
a greater noise reduction may be made.
This research was supported in part by the Department of Pediatrics at University Hospitals Case Medical
Center and by The Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health at Case Western Reserve
University School of Medicine. Yacker Trackers were provided by Learning Advantage, Inc., Timnath, CO.
The authors wish to thank the following individuals for their assistance in the project’s conception: Daniel
Wolpaw, MD and Jerry Strauss, PhD.
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