J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  1994 Dec;1(2):173-191.

A Study on the Noise and Reaction to Noise of Inpatient

• Shon YH

Abstract

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted to exam if there were relation between noise level and reaction to noise of inpatient. The purpose of this study was to provide a basic data for comfort of patient hospitalized. The hypotheses of the study are : 1. The higher perceived noise level of inpatient, the higher reaction level to noise. 2. The higher perceived noise level of inpatient, physiological reaction level to noise. 3. The higher perceived noise level of inpatient, the higher emotional reaction level to noise. The participant were 153 patients hospitalized in one general hospital. The research instruments used for this study were noise scale and reaction of patient scale developed by the author. Data was collected over a period of 10 days from the 9th of July to the18th of July, 1994. Statistical analysis of the data included percentage, t-test, ANOVA and Scheffe test. Examination of the hypotheses was done by use of pearson correlation coefficient. The results are summarized as follows ; 1. The mean score of noise level was 2.24. Among noise factors reported by the subjects, that which ranked highest was "Conversation of Visitors"(2.82). Next were "noise of handling receptacle"(2.73), "the others noise from outside"(2.73) and "Conversation of supporter"(2.71). 2. The mean score of reaction level to noise was 2.19, physiological reaction level 2.04 and emotional reaction level 2.37. Among Physiological reaction to noise reported by the subjects, that which ranked highest was "tired"(2.39). Next were "sweating"(2.22) and "headache"(2.20). Among emotional reaction to noise reported by the subjects, that which ranked highest was "to irritate nerve"(2.53). Next were "disturbing rest"(2.51) and "to disturb sleep"(2.46). 3. The relationship between perceived noise level of inpatient and reaction to noise was statically significant (r=0.599, p=.0001). The relationship between perceived noise level of inpatient and physiological reaction to noise was statically significant (r=0.554, p=.0001). The relationship between perceived noise level of inpatient and emotional reaction to noise was statically significant(r=0.535, p=.0001). Thus hypotheses 1, 2, 3 were supported. 4. There were significant differences between noise level of inpatient, admission periods, mobility of physical condition and exposure level to noise. 5. There were significant differences between physiological reaction level to noise, admission periods, mobility of physical condition and operation Yes or No. 6. There were significant difference between emotional reaction level to noise, admission periods, mobility of physical condition and exposure level to noise.

MeSH Terms

Hospitals, General
Humans
Inpatients*
Noise*