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Noise levels in veterinary operating rooms and factors that contribute to their variations

OBJECTIVE
To quantify noise levels in veterinary operating rooms (OR) and evaluate factors affecting them.


STUDY DESIGN
Pilot study.


SAMPLE POPULATION
Seventy-seven small-animal surgical procedures at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Small Animal Hospital.


METHODS
A decibel-measuring device was used to measure mean A-weighted, median, and maximum decibel readings within the OR. The number of people present in the OR, the number of people scrubbed in, the surgery service, and whether or not music was playing were recorded.


RESULTS
The mean, median, and maximum decibel levels for all surgeries were 71.7 A-weighted decibels [dB(A)], 69.4 dB(A), and 90.3 dB(A), respectively. Neurologic surgeries were associated with higher noise levels. OR with music playing were louder than those without music (P < .001). None of the other factors evaluated were associated with noise levels.


CONCLUSION
Neurological surgeries and playing music in the OR were associated with higher noise levels. The average noise levels in our veterinary OR were high and exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.


CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This is the first published study to quantify noise levels in a veterinary OR. Noise levels that exceed WHO recommended levels warrant additional investigation for potential side effects on surgical patients and OR staff.