Determination of noise sensitivity and attention levels of healthcare professionals working in operating rooms

This study examining the relationship between noise sensitivity and mindfulness levels of healthcare professionals working in operating rooms and emergency departments, as well as the effects of noise on healthcare professionals and patients, was conducted with a sample of 200 healthcare professionals (127 female, 73 male). Data were collected using the Demographic Characteristics Form, the Weinstein Noise Sensitivity Scale (WNSS), and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). Following distribution suitability tests, Student's t-test was used for two-group comparisons, and ANOVA was used for comparisons involving three or more groups, with a significance level set at p<0.005. The mean WNSS score was 93.44±8.44, indicating high noise sensitivity, while the mean MAAS score was 72.89±11.65, reflecting a moderate-to-high level of mindfulness. Noise, defined as a combination of unwanted sounds, frequently exceeds 70 dB(A) in operating rooms and emergency departments, surpassing the World Health Organization's recommended limits, as observed in the literature. This situation leads to attention distraction and increased error risk among healthcare professionals, negatively impacting treatment performance and patient health. The strongest determinants of noise sensitivity were professional experience of 15 years or more (115.11±9.34) and being single (96.44±8.85), while the strongest determinants of mindfulness were being single (85.76±7.79) and having over 15 years of experience (84.71±9.60). Females (102.02±12.50), the 36–55 age group (110.28±8.72), single individuals, and those with higher education (98.16±7.66) exhibited higher noise sensitivity, while single individuals and experienced professionals had higher MAAS scores (p<0.005). A strong positive v correlation was found between noise sensitivity and mindfulness (r=0.771, p=0.001), and regression analysis confirmed that noise sensitivity positively influenced mindfulness (β=0.654, p<0.001). However, professionals with moderate experience (6–15 years) had lower MAAS scores (65.73±9.56; 66.41±8.84), which were associated with burnout or stress. The psychological and physiological adverse effects of noise, particularly attention distraction, threaten professional performance and patient care quality. Therefore, identifying and managing noise sources is of critical importance. Noise reduction technologies, sound insulation, mindfulness-based training, and stress management programs are recommended. Future studies should investigate the long-term effects of noise sensitivity and the effectiveness of interventions in greater detail. Keywords: Operating Room, Emergency Room, Healthcare Professional, Noise Sensitivity, Attention