Original Article

You have free access to this content

Adverse effect of noise in the operating theatre on surgical-site infection†

  1. A. Kurmann1,
  2. M. Peter1,
  3. F. Tschan2,
  4. K. Mühlemann3,
  5. D. Candinas1,
  6. G. Beldi1,*

Article first published online: 27 MAY 2011

DOI: 10.1002/bjs.7496

Issue

British Journal of Surgery

British Journal of Surgery

Volume 98, Issue 7, pages 1021–1025, July 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Kurmann, A., Peter, M., Tschan, F., Mühlemann, K., Candinas, D. and Beldi, G. (2011), Adverse effect of noise in the operating theatre on surgical-site infection. Br J Surg, 98: 1021–1025. doi: 10.1002/bjs.7496

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

  2. 2

    Institute of Work and Organizational Psychology, University of Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

  3. 3

    Institute of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital University Hospital Berne and University of Berne, Berne

*Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Berne University Hospital, University of Berne, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland

  1. †

    Presented to the 97th Annual Congress of the Swiss Society of Surgery, Interlaken, Switzerland, May 2010, and published in abstract form as Br J Surg; 97(Suppl 3): 7

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 27 MAY 2011
  2. Article first published online: 27 MAY 2011
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 10 FEB 2011

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (132K)

Abstract

Background:

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the noise level in an operating theatre as a possible surrogate marker for intraoperative behaviour, and to detect any correlation between sound level and subsequent surgical-site infection (SSI).

Methods:

The sound level was measured during 35 elective open abdominal procedures. The noise intensity was registered digitally in decibels (dB) every second. A standard questionnaire was used to evaluate the behaviour of the surgical team during the operation. The primary outcome parameter was the SSI rate within 30 days of surgery.

Results:

The overall rate of SSI was six of 35 (17 per cent). Demographic parameters and duration of operation were not significantly different between patients with, or without SSI. The median sound level (43·5 (range 26·0–60·0) versus 25·0 (25·0–60·0) dB; P = 0·040) and median level above baseline (10·7 (0·6–33·3) versus 0·6 (0·5–10·8); P = 0·001) were significantly higher for patients who developed a SSI. The sound level was at least 4 dB above the median in 22·5 per cent of the peaks in patients with SSI compared with 10·7 per cent in those without (P = 0·029). Talking about non-surgery-related topics was associated with a significantly higher sound level (P = 0·024).

Conclusion:

Intraoperative noise volume was associated with SSI. This may be due to a lack of concentration, or a stressful environment, and may therefore represent a surrogate parameter by which to assess the behaviour of a surgical team. Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (132K)