Actual Conditions of Noises in Hospitals -On Plannings and Conditions of Wards

摘要

It is important to know the actual conditions of noises in hospitals for the improvement of their environments. Especially for the inpatients, noises in the wards may interfere with their medical environments. This research was conducted in 3 hospitals in and around Tokyo. In the ward of each hospital A-weighted sound pressure levels were measured for 24 hours and questionnaires were given to the inpatients and nurses. In some wards the values of L{sub}(Aeq.10min) were higher than 60 dB. Main sound sources were footsteps, conversations, server-wagon movements, and so on. The values of sound level varied according to the types of planning of the wards and patient bedrooms. In the answers to the questionnaire, many inpatients pointed out footsteps, conversations and the sound of medical equipments, etc. as unacceptable noises. There were little difference of the sound level of footsteps between carpet floors and linoleum floors, but the inpatients could feel the difference between the two.