Simulation and analysis of acoustical comfort in an Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Acoustical comfort in a hospital is required for recovering process, improving quality of sleep, improving patient's comfort factor, and also to enhance medical staff's working quality. A research related to acoustical comfort was conducted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Hospital in Bandung, Indonesia. Acoustic parameters that are discussed in this paper are definition-50 (D-50), sound pressure level (SPL), and reverberation time (T-30). These parameters are measured and modified by simulation, actual measurement, subjective observation, and passive acoustic recommendation. Data from simulation shows that both T-30 and D-50 values (especially in speech frequency) are just slightly around the standard value, while simulation and actual measurement show that SPL value is above the standard of 35 dBA. On the other hand, subjective observation shows that noise sources are dominated by speech (250Hz–1,000Hz) and intermittent noise from alarm (1,000Hz–2,000Hz). Recommendation was determined through simulation by changing/coating concrete wall with fiberglass board. After recommendation, the values for D-50 and T-30 are 17.6%–88.7% and 0.3s–1.0s, respectively. For SPL (and Leq) parameter, there is a decrease of 7.7dBA (in patient's area) and 2.5dBA (in nurse's area). Overall, D-50 parameter is increased while both T-30 and SPL parameters are decreased, which considered better for acoustic environment in a hospital.