Management of changes for noise control in neonatal intensive therapy:

experience report

Abstract

The objective of this study was to report an experiment on participatory planning and management of changes for noise control in a neonatal intensive care unit of a
public teaching hospital in the Triângulo Mineiro. This is a research project that had the university outreach activities as one of its interfaces. The motivation for its development was to support the hospital's strategic objectives to guarantee the quality of patient
care and patient safety before the articulation between teaching-research-outreach activities and care provision. The theoretical-methodological framework that guided
the conduction of the experience was the logical framework, historically derived from planning methods that guaranteed spaces for teamwork and the participation of the various stakeholders in the project. The management of changes was conducted by
a managerial group with expertise in the theme, represented by local workers and teachers/researchers. Activities took place between April and May/2017. The diagnosis of the problem-situation counted on a measurement of the noise in the place before the interventions (level between 62-82 dB); the perception of noise in the sector was high and very high according to 88.3% of the workers. The results obtained were: engagement of hospital authorities and the
responsible for legitimization in the proposal; sensitization and training of workers, teachers/researchers, residents and academics to control noise; and implementation of measures to control noise. Changes were jointly articulated among workers, university representatives, and managers: in the infrastructure of the environment, in the direct
handling of the newborn, and in the attitude of the team. There is a need for longitudinal follow-up regarding the way the initiatives have impacted on noise reduction and on the well-being of workers.