Noise monitoring and alarm system for infant incubators

Abstract

Clinical studies have demonstrated a correlation between high noise levels in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and health disorders in newborns. This work aimed at: (a) performing a qualitative and quantitative analysis of noise in the interior and exterior of NICU incubators, and (b) developing and evaluating a system to monitor noise and alert the NICU staff. The noise levels inside and outside the incubators of an NICU were recorded for three consecutive days. An automatic control system was also developed and clinically tested to monitor and record noise and generate a visual alarm when levels were above a selected threshold. Noise levels were above recommended standards inside and outside the incubators. The external noise sources were the routine activities of NICU personnel and the operation of other medical systems in the unit. The internal noise sources were the temperature and ventilation systems of the incubators. The proposed noise monitoring and alarm system could improve infant care. The system could raise awareness and improve NICU personnel training thus, effectively addressing one major, external source of noise. The system could also provide valuable data to the manufacturers, who, in the long run, could improve the technical specifications of the incubators