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Prioritization of noise abatement methods for controlling hospital noise pollution

Authors :
Milad Abbasi
Mohammad Osman Tokhi
Nazila Eyvazzadeh
Mohsen Falahati
Mojtaba Zokaei
Source :
Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control, Vol 43 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
SAGE Publishing, 2024.

Abstract

Noise pollution in hospitals has increased over the last few years to a level that can threaten the health and productivity of staff and patient safety. There are many control measures to reduce hospital noise. However, there is still no consensus on the best measures. This study aims to prioritize the control measures for reducing hospital noise. The work is divided into three phases. The first phase identifies and categorizes noise sources in hospitals through a review of the state-of-the art literature using Scopus®, ProQuest, PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase,™ and Web of Science™. The second phase identifies possible strategies for reduction of hospital noise and the best criteria for their adoption using findings from the literature review and interviews with corresponding experts. The third phase uses Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (fuzzy TOPSIS) method to weigh the criteria and to prioritize the control measures. Based on the results, hospital noise sources were classified into four groups: outdoor noise sources (29.7%), noise produced by domestic facilities (20.8%), indoor noise from human activities (27.5%), and noise produced by diagnostic and treatment equipment (22%). The study further arrives at a set of 9 criteria and 22 alternatives ranked using FAHP and fuzzy TOPSIS. The criteria’s weights were determined using the FAHP method, with feasibility (0.175), effectiveness (0.143), and interference with staff activities (0.140) being the most important criteria. It was found that engineering controls such as substitution of noisy equipment (rank = 1), using acoustic enclosures (rank = 2), using double-glazed windows (rank = 2), and soundproofing walls, doors, and windows (rank = 3) have priority for reducing hospital noise.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14613484 and 20484046
Volume :
43
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Low Frequency Noise, Vibration and Active Control
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f2b1fdf1fd8545c89d18f1dd010a5196
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/14613484241245002