This article presents the results of a noise survey at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Results include equivalent sound pressure levels as a function of location, frequency, and time of day. At all locations and all times of day, the indicate that a serious problem exists. No location is in compliance with current World Health Organization Guidelines, and a review of objective data indicates that this is true of hospitals throughout the world. Average equivalent sound levels are in the range for , , and averaging time periods. The spectra are generally flat over the octave bands, with higher sound levels at lower frequencies, and a gradual roll off above . Many units exhibit little if any reduction of sound levels in the nighttime. Data gathered at various hospitals over the last indicate a trend of increasing noise levels during daytime and nighttime hours. The implications of these results are significant for patients, visitors, and hospital staff.
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December 2005
December 01 2005
Noise levels in Johns Hopkins Hospital
Ilene J. Busch-Vishniac;
Johns Hopkins University
, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
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James E. West;
James E. West
Johns Hopkins University
, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
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Colin Barnhill;
Colin Barnhill
Johns Hopkins University
, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
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Tyrone Hunter;
Tyrone Hunter
Johns Hopkins University
, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
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Douglas Orellana;
Douglas Orellana
Johns Hopkins University
, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
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Ram Chivukula
Ram Chivukula
Johns Hopkins University
, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218
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a)
Electronic mail: ilenebv@jhu.edu
J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 118, 3629–3645 (2005)
Article history
Received:
May 25 2005
Accepted:
September 19 2005
Citation
Ilene J. Busch-Vishniac, James E. West, Colin Barnhill, Tyrone Hunter, Douglas Orellana, Ram Chivukula; Noise levels in Johns Hopkins Hospital. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 1 December 2005; 118 (6): 3629–3645. https://doi.org/10.1121/1.2118327
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