Clinical simulation and technological developments as strategies for the noise pollution control at intensive care units

FIGUEROA GALLO, LUCILA M.; LUCIANNA, FACUNDO ADRIÁN; OLIVERA, JUAN MANUEL

Piriapolis

Congreso; Congreso de Bioingeniería y Jornadas de Ingeniería Clínica 2020; 2020

Universidad de la Republica de Uruguay

In recent decades, technological progress has improved the survival of critical patients - eg, preterm newborns- But in return there is a daily exposure to an omnipresent environmental air pollutant such as noise. Numerous psycho-physiological negative effects have been documented in humans generated by noise, with greater consequences in critical patients, that is why from the Biomedical Engineering we have developed strategies to interact with technology, patients, family members, technology users and hospital infrastructure, seeking to control the noise pollution and have a positive impact on health quality. The processes were implemented in health institutions in the province, and this allowed the analysis of hospital noise generating sources, workflows and problematic. With this work it was possible to develop standardized protocols for measuring and controlling sanitary noise that can be applicable to any health institution and in various services. The protocols include criteria and strategies for the diagnosis of the infrastructure and medical technology status, average levels and emitting sources, operational and functional issues, level of knowledge and awareness of the problem of those involved. Based on this, it is proposed to apply a national guide, documentation and technology developed so that together they form a training tool to favor the creation of controlled environments where noise becomes a regularly monitored variable in order to give visibility to a problem considered minor with serious consequences in the short, medium and long term seeking to raise public awareness and acoustically generating healthy environments as a health prevention strategy.