Hospital Noise Pollution in a Tertiary Hill-State Hospital: A Spatio-Temporal Assessment

Hospital Noise pollution in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Hospitals are sensitive acoustic environments where excessive noise can adversely affect patient recovery and staff performance. Despite global recommendations by the WHO and USEPA to maintain hospital noise levels within 30-45 dB(A), evidence suggests that actual sound levels often exceed these thresholds- including developing and geographically constrained regions like Uttarakhand.

Objectives: This study aims to measure and analyze noise levels across key functional zones of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Uttarakhand to evaluate temporal variation over a two-week period and provide actionable, policy-based recommendations.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a calibrated digital sound level meter to measure LAeq values across five hospital zones (ICU, OPD, General Ward, Administrative, Utility) during both day and night shifts, over two consecutive weeks. Statistical tests were applied to assess zone-wise and temporal differences in noise exposure.

Results: All measured zones exceeded WHO and USEPA noise thresholds. The OPD recorded the highest LAeq values (?74 dB), followed by the General Ward and Utility Area. Even administrative zones breached the 45 dB limit. Nighttime levels were marginally lower but consistently above permissible standards. Major noise sources included human activity, medical equipment, and external traffic.

Conclusion: The findings confirm widespread acoustic non-compliance across both clinical and non-clinical zones. This study highlights the urgent need for hospital administrators, policymakers and local authorities- particularly in hill-state contexts- to institutionalize acoustic zoning, enforce noise audit protocols, and integrate environmental noise standards into accreditation frameworks and community infrastructure planning.