Environmental Noise in Intensive Care Units: Occupational Exposure, Nurse Well‐Being and Care Quality—A Mixed‐Methods Study

Resumo

Background Noise pollution in intensive care units (ICUs) is a pervasive occupational exposure that may affect nurses' well‐being, patient safety and quality of care. Aim To examine ICU nurses' perceptions and experiences of noise pollution and explore associations between perceived noise exposure, well‐being, work performance and patient safety. Study Design A convergent mixed‐methods design was used. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi‐structured interviews. Qualitative data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis in accordance with GRAMMS guidelines. Results/Findings A total of 60 nurses participated in the quantitative phase, and 13 nurses participated in the qualitative interviews. A substantial proportion of nurses reported that noise often or always increased stress (56.6%, n = 34), restlessness or discomfort (48.3%, n = 29), sleep disturbance (53.3%, n = 32), fatigue or frustration (45.0%, n = 27) and headaches (41.7%, n = 25); 33.3% ( n = 20) reported frequent or constant effects on decision‐making. Integrated analysis of quantitative and qualitative data identified three overarching themes: (1) the dual role of alarms in patient safety and workflow; (2) alarm burden as a systemic and technical challenge; and (3) strategies for managing alarm‐related stress. Conclusion ICU noise is functionally essential for monitoring and safety yet burdensome for nurses and patients. Individualising alarms for responding

Tipo

Artigo

Área

Enfermagem

Ano

2026

Idioma

Inglês

Licença

CC BY

DOI

10.1111/nicc.70527

Como citar (ABNT)

SALIMI, Saleh; MOHAMMADZAD, Farinaz; KAYA, Nedim Ugur. Environmental Noise in Intensive Care Units: Occupational Exposure, Nurse Well‐Being and Care Quality—A Mixed‐Methods Study. Nursing in Critical Care, v. 31, n. 4, 2026. DOI: 10.1111/nicc.70527.