Prioritization of noise abatement methods for controlling hospital noise pollution

Milad Abbasi, Mohammad Osman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
1 Downloads (Pure)

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1126-1138
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Low Frequency Noise Vibration and Active Control
Volume43
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Apr 2024
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Building and Construction
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Geophysics
  • Acoustics and Ultrasonics
  • Mechanics of Materials

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