Evaluation of the effect of noise levels in the operating room on the stress levels and workload of the surgical team

The research was conducted descriptively and cross-sectionally to evaluate the noise levels and the effect of noise on the workload and stress levels of operating room staff of a public hospital. The data were obtained between July-October 2019 on weekdays from 403 orthopaedical, urological and general surgeries by measuring noise levels in the environment. Furthermore stress and workload levels of 45 operating room staff who works in general surgery, orthopaedics, and urology operating rooms were measured. Data were collected using CA 834 noise measurement device, State Anxiety Scale (STAI FORM TX-I), NASA-TLX Workload Scale and Information form related to surgery and operating room. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods (standard deviation, median, frequency, percentage, minimum, maximum), Shapiro-Wilk, Student t, Oneway Anova, Bonferroni, Pearson correlation and Spearman correlation tests. The average duration of surgeries was 69.84±23.67 minutes with 27.5% urology, 41.4% general surgery and 31.1% while orthopaedic surgery 63% of patients experienced open surgery, 75.4% under general anaesthesia and 59.3 % of patients were ASA I.The mean age of the operating room staff was 34.89±7.41 years and the experience of working in the operating room was 8.00±5.82 years. Of the employees , 53.3 %were male, 37.8 % (n=17)were operating room nurses,24.4 %(n=11) were surgeons,and 37.8% (n=17) were from the anesthesia team. The mean age of the operating room staff was 34.89±7.41 years and the job experience of the staff was 8.00±5.82 years. Of the staff, 53.3 % were male, 37.8 % (n=17) were operating room nurses, 24.4 %(n=11) were surgeons, and 37.8% (n=17) were from the anesthesia team. Stage1 average noise levels were 63.00±3.50, stage 2 average noise levels were 62.94±3.75, and stage 3 average noise levels were 63.67±2.81. The mean state anxiety score was 34.50±6.09. The total workload level was found to be 56.91±15.67. There was a positive correlation between state anxiety scores (p<0.01) , workload scores (p<0.01) and noise levels. As a result, it was determined that the noise in the operating room was close to 85dB(A), the limit proposed by the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety for workplaces, and the noise in the operating room increased the perceived workload and stress levels of the operating room staff. It was suggested to increase the knowledge and awareness of operating room staff by providing noise control training, to make noise measurements at regular intervals, and to use technologies related to noise reduction in operating rooms. Key words: Operating room, Noise level, Stress, Workload