Reducing Night-Time Sound Levels Through Bed-Level Quiet ICU Bundle: A Randomised Counterbalanced Crossover Study in Adult Intensive Care.
Nurs Crit CareSep 1, 2026
Wei Jun Dan Ong, Adrian Ujin Yap, Woon Hean Keenan Chong et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of a bed-level Quiet ICU bundle on night-time noise levels in an adult ICU in Singapore. The intervention significantly reduced the equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq) by 4.56 dBA compared to usual care, while maintaining alarm visibility. A total of 69 bed-episodes were monitored over 220 nights.
Key findings
- Quiet ICU reduced LAeq by 4.56 dBA compared to usual care (p < 0.001).
- Maximum sound level (Lmax) decreased by 7.77 dBA (p < 0.001).
- Time above 80 dBA was reduced by 2.43 minutes (p < 0.001).
- Bedside alarm audio was reactivated on only 1.8% of Quiet ICU nights.
Why it matters
Reducing night-time noise in ICUs can enhance patient comfort and potentially improve clinical outcomes. This study suggests that implementing a Quiet ICU bundle may be a practical approach to achieve this without compromising alarm visibility.