Evaluation of Operating Room Noise by Different Medical Specialists

Abstract

Noise pollution is in an increasing trend in the operating rooms, as has been the case in various other domains in life. It has been shown in studies that the main cause of this noise pollution consist of the behavior related to the operating room personel and the surgical equipment. These higher than normal noise levels may increase stress and decrease communication and performance, apart from the negative health effects on the operating team. In this study, we aimed to explore the sources of noise pollution and the place of music on these effects on anesthesiology and surgical doctors. Questions formulated through a questionnaire have been asked to the anesthesiology and surgical department physicians on a voluntary basis, and their approach to the concept of noise has been assessed. The study was planned as a descriptive study. In total, highest impact from noise pollution was found to be the aspirator (74.3%), chatting (55.4%), noises from the monitors (54.8%), alarms (48.6%), surgical material (25.9%) and music (23.8%). Noise had the most impact on the concentration of the doctors with a rate of 61.9%. Anesthesiologists, when compared to other surgical department physicians, were found to be impacted most by music with 37.2%. It is not realistic to eliminate all the noise and distraction. On the other hand, it can be minimalized through sufficient measures. Yet, general measures to keep the silence isn’t too likely to keep the noise down during long operations. Whereas music stays as a matter of personal choice. Controlled studies on whether to keep or not the music in the operating rooms aren’t yet sufficient, due to which, general recommendations do not apply. As a result of this study, we have found that while music might have performance increasing effects, it still has a potential as a distraction and interfere with the communication in the operating room.