risk assessments for noise, vibration & patient satisfaction...mar 20, 2019 · karen munt,...

Healthcare Construction Certificate - Level 1

Risk Assessments for Noise, Vibration & Patient Satisfaction


Program Credits

Marge McFarlane, Superior PerformanceKaren Munt, UnityPoint Health-Meriter

Jon CechvalaJeff Boldt, IMEG

Jeff Eckstein, JH Findorff & Son


Learning Objectives

• Understand which patient care areas are sensitive to noise and vibration

• Understanding impact to HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and Systems)


How Loud is Loud?

Depends on the perception and stress of the listener…

• Confidentiality

• Privacy

• Medical Safety

• Security


Sensitive Clinical Areas• Newborns/NICU• OR/Interventional Procedures• Pathology• Ophthalmology• Anyone trying to rest…


FGI Noise Guidelines

• FGI Guidelines address two areas for Noise in Healthcare settings

• Sound Transmission Class (STC)

• Noise levels

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjCpM6WwJ7PAhWF3SYKHdXGC2EQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clipartkid.com%2Fhearing-loss-cliparts%2F&bvm=bv.133178914,bs.1,d.dmo&psig=AFQjCNEO6mGmdqKW14XoYX6XHlrDUvlQJQ&ust=1474479979663648


Sound Transmission Class (STC) Definition

• FGI Recommends STC ratings

• STC is a rating of how well a building partition attenuates airborne sound.

• Widely used to rate interior partitions, ceilings, floors, doors, windows and exterior wall configurations.

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Classification E413 – Classifications for Rating Sound Insulation and E90 – Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements.


Sound Transmission Classification (STC)

STCWhat can be heard

25 Normal speech can be understood quite easily and distinctly through wall

30 Loud speech can be understood fairly well, normal speech heard but not understood

35 Loud speech audible but not intelligible

40 Onset of "privacy"

42 Loud speech audible as a murmur

45 Loud speech not audible; 90% of statistical population not annoyed

50 Very loud sounds such as musical instruments or a stereo can be faintly heard; 99% of population not annoyed.

60+ Superior soundproofing; most sounds inaudible

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwisioqukbjRAhXLJCYKHarPDxkQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fasa.aip.org%2Fclassroom%2Fbooklet.html&bvm=bv.143423383,d.eWE&psig=AFQjCNEIwxODcK6UridziiHVsjqNG3AKLA&ust=1484156871561853


Noise Levels for Healthcare

• WHO (World Health Organization) and US EPA recommend hospital noise be limited to 30-40 dBA (decibel) or as low as possible.

• Power tools create sound pressure levels of 110 – 125 dBA


dBA – Decibel Definition

A-weighted decibels, abbreviated dBA, or dB(a), are an expression of the relative loudness of sounds in air as perceived by the human ear.


Maximum design criteria for Hospital and Outpatient Facilities

• 2014 FGI and sound & vibration guidelines for healthcare facilities


Maximum design criteria for Residential Health Care and Support Facilities

• 2014 FGI and sound & vibration guidelines for healthcare facilities


Noise Suppression Tips

• Use a sound level meter to assess levels outside containment.

• Sound pressure levels decrease by 6 dB per doubling of distance from a source.

• If construction noise is an issue, construction containment walls which increase transmission loss (TL) – i.e., absorb noise.

• Avoid barrier leaks.


Distance Factors

8 ft.

4 ft.

2 ft.

68

dBA

74

dBA

80

dBA

C

o

n

t

a

i

n

m

e

n

tUse a sound level meter to measure dBA.

110 – 125 dBA


Wall Configuration


Temporary Dust Tight Partition

Insulation between

sheetrock layers to

suppress noise.


Vibration

• One of the most difficult issues to mitigate.

• Effects doctors, nurses and other clinical staff during delicate procedures.

• Effects patient recovery and newborns and babies.

• Evaluate the best time for the work.

• Very difficult / expensive to accurately measure.


Vibration - Options

• Elimination

• Reduction

• Mitigation

• Communication


Noise and Vibration Planning

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiK9tvRxObMAhWE6IMKHYp2BRYQjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.123rf.com%2Fclipart-vector%2Fhammer_isolated.html&bvm=bv.122448493,d.amc&psig=AFQjCNF4t4DC1m3ohugzP7Q3aVjjjFYBTQ&ust=1463760900829625


HCAHPS

• Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems

• CMS requires: Patient Satisfaction Survey

• During this hospital stay, how often was the area around your room quiet at night?

• Looking for: “Always” answers

• Percent of “Always” answers determines reimbursement


Questions?

risk assessments for noise, vibration & patient satisfaction...mar 20, 2019 · karen munt,...

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