Influence of noise manipulation on retention in a simulated ICU ward round: an experimental pilot study

• Published in: Intensive care medicine experimental Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 3
• Main Authors: Erne, Katja, Knobel, Samuel E. J., Naef, Aileen C., Gerber, Stephan M., Fischer, Tim, Mast, Fred W., Schefold, Joerg C., Zante, Bjoern, Nef, Tobias, Jeitziner, Marie-Madlen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 28-01-2022; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Cognitive ability; Critical Care Medicine; Critical thinking; Intensive; Intensive care; Intensive Care Unit; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Memory; Noise; Nurses; Physicians; Pilot study; Retention; Simulation; Ward round; Work environment; Pilot study; Intensive Care Unit; Ward round; Retention; Noise
• ISSN: 2197-425X; 2197-425X
• DOI: 10.1186/s40635-022-00430-1

Background
Noise exposure leads to a reduction in cognitive abilities in diverse settings, however, only limited data exist examining the effects of environmental ICU noise on the cognitive performance of ICU professionals. A frequently occurring and demanding retention task in ICUs are ward rounds, which are considered key for the provision of medical care. Here, we investigate the influence of noise on information retention in a simulated ward round.
Methods
ICU professionals were exposed to a recorded, ICU ward round, simulated partly with and partly without environmental ICU noise. Ward rounds were followed by specific questions about previously provided information.
Results
56 ICU professionals (aged 26–59 years) were included. A logistic mixed model showed a reduction of 27% (
P
 < 0.001) in the ward round test performance when participants were exposed to environmental ICU noise. Furthermore, advanced age was associated with reduced retention (− 28%,
P
 < 0.001), questions containing important information performed better (+ 36%,
P
 < 0.001), and higher stress led to better performance in retention (+ 24%,
P
 = 0.01).
Conclusions
Our data showed a considerable negative influence of environmental ICU noise during a simulated ward round. Therefore, reduction of environmental ICU noise is recommended. The influence of additional factors, including stress, priorities, and demographic factors should be pursued in subsequent investigations.