Impact of acoustic environment in intensive care unit on nurses' well-being during COVID-19: A qualitative interview study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of acoustic environments in intensive care units (ICUs) on nurses' well-being.

Setting and sample: The research was conducted with 14 ICU registered nurses recruited from four different hospitals in China.

Research methodology: Semi-structured interviews were conducted via video calls to explore ICU nurses' perceptions, reactions, and coping strategies related to noise exposure. A grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data.

Findings: The study identified five categories and 11 themes based on nurses' experiences with noise exposure in ICUs. These themes were interconnected to develop a conceptual model. According to the model, exposure to human and non-human noises led to negative emotions and disturbances in ICU activities, such as medical procedures and conversations. Nurses employed various coping strategies to manage negative perceptions of noise. Several nurses expressed concerns about their physical and mental health, which are related to noise exposures. Additionally, their noise perception and coping strategies were influenced by intervening conditions, such as noise sensitivity, attitudes towards colleagues and patients, and childcare.

Implications for clinical practice: This study highlights the potential risk of physical and mental well-being among ICU nurses. The findings suggest the necessity of interventions to enhance the acoustic environments of ICUs, such as implementing noise reduction strategies, optimising alarm systems, and providing adequate training and support for staff to cope with noise-related stress.