It has been noticed, at the health Assistance Establishments (EAS), higher and higher levels of noise, causing discomfort, interfering in the patient s rest, sleep and on the activities carried out. It was evaluated, through a qualitative-quantitative research, the noise in three units in a hospital (Pediatric, Labor room and New-born ICT), situated on an avenue with intensive traffic. The quantitative analysis was conducted through equivalent sound pressure level (LAEQ) and maximum and minimum levels. The qualitative study consisted of: appointments (sound sources and physical characteristics of the building), semi-structured interviews (employees, attendants and patients, over 16 years old) and observations (routine and equipments) the levels of the measured sounds, in all three environments, were above the recommendations, presenting, at certain hours and places, as very unpleasant, during the interviews. The reflecting physical characteristics of the buildings of the HAE, the high number of equipments some of them with inadequate isolation and placement and the openings (windows and doors) with inefficient enclosure, contribute for high levels of noise. The traffic, the construction (the enlargement of the hospital) and the comprehension bombs are said as uncomfortable. Medicine and meals carts are examples which depend on a momentary connotation (shots, pain relief, snacks, etc.). The research shows that several factors are able to generate and increase the noise levels in a hospital environment; therefore there is a necessity of detailed and contextualized analysis, accomplishing more adequate solutions. / Tem-se constatado, nos Estabelecimentos Assistenciais de Saúde (EAS), níveis de ruídos cada vez mais elevados, causando desconforto, interferindo no descanso, no sono e nas atividades desenvolvidas. Avaliou-se, através de uma pesquisa quali-quantitativa, o ruído em três unidades de um hospital (Pediatria, Maternidade e CTI Neonatal), situado numa avenida de trânsito intenso, em Santa Maria/RS. A análise quantitativa foi efetuada com medições de nível de pressão sonora equivalente (LAeq) e níveis máximos e mínimos. O estudo qualitativo contemplou: levantamentos (fontes sonoras e características físicas da edificação), entrevista semi-estruturada (funcionários, acompanhantes e pacientes, maiores de 16 anos) e observações (rotinas e equipamentos). Os níveis sonoros medidos, nos três ambientes, encontram-se acima das recomendações, traduzindo-se, nas entrevistas, em alguns horários e locais, como muito desagradáveis. As características físicas refletoras das edificações dos EAS, o elevado número de equipamentos - alguns com localização e isolamento inadequado - e as aberturas (janelas e portas) com vedação deficiente, contribuem para patamares elevados de ruído. O tráfego, a construção (obra de ampliação do hospital) e as bombas de recalque são citados como desconfortáveis. Carrinhos de medicamentos e refeições são exemplos que dependem de uma conotação momentânea (injeção, alívio de dor, lanche etc.). A pesquisa mostra que múltiplos fatores geram e incrementam os níveis de ruído em um ambiente hospitalar, por isso há necessidade de que as análises sejam detalhadas e contextualizadas, possibilitando soluções mais adequadas.

Noise levels in hospital settings have risen beyond the recommended range of 35-40 decibels, resulting in poor patient healing outcomes and other health conditions ranging from sleep deprivation, anxiety, agitation, delirium, depression, and high heart rate and blood pressure. These negative patient health experiences are evidenced by poor scores for the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems, which are indicators of patients' perceptions of care. This project explored whether an educational activity for 48 direct care staff, who include registered nurses and nursing assistants, in a cardiac unit on the impact of noise pollution on patient healing would increase staff members' knowledge of interventions to reduce noise pollution. The information processing theory guided this project. Eighty-nine percent of the participants strongly agreed that the educational activity was relevant to their practice as health care providers on the cardiac monitored unit. All participants strongly agreed that they would be able to identify when the unit was noisy and when noise was impacting a patient both physiologically and psychologically. Participants indicated that they could implement the suggested behavioral modifications to promote a healing environment. Participants strongly agreed that the speaker was effective in communicating the importance of noise pollution and its impact on patient healing and ways in which to combat the problem (89%), and they were generally satisfied with the learning activity (91%). Reducing noise pollution might create a healing environment for cardiac patients, thus positively impacting patient satisfaction and well-being.