Noise measurement in Düzce University Medical Faculty Hospital outpatient clinics

Aim: Aim is to assess noise levels in the waiting areas of the outpatient clinics at Düzce University Medical Faculty Hospital and to ensure that noise prevention measures were taken, if necessary. Materials and Methods: The noise level was measured continuously for five days and eight hours a day at 11 measurement points in the waiting areas of the outpatient clinics. Svantek SV 30 calibrator and Svantek SVAN 957 Sound and Vibration Analyzer were used for calibration and measurement. The device was set to give an hourly average. This was a descriptive study and there was no sample selection. SPSS statistical package was used and Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, Friedman and Wilcoxon tests were performed for data analysis. A value of p <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The average noise level was 62.1 dBA (min 48.5dBA and max 70.8dBA). This value and even the minimum measured value were above the threshold values specified in the EPA, WHO and Environmental Noise Assessment and Management Regulations. Although their noise levels were also above the thresholds, only the radiology outpatient clinics have significantly lower values than the others (p <0.05). The noise levels had no significant differences among days or hours. Conclusion: The measured noise levels were above the threshold values in the waiting areas of the outpatient clinics. Noise prevention measures should be considered.