Discussion of the State of the Art
Noise is a pandemic problem in the OR, challenging
concentration and communication and resulting in a
compromised safety environment. It has been determined
that clear speech requires a 15-dB signal-to-noise ratio.10
In the OR, this requires speech levels of 70 to 85 dB,
which is above normal speaking levels of 55 to 65 dB.10
Way et al14 noted that OR noise can cause a decrease in
auditory processing function, particularly with music.
Another study reported that The Joint Commission found
communication errors to be a contributing cause for
51.7% of anesthesia adverse events, 54.7% of operative
and postoperative complication events, 59.6% of adverse
events related to medical equipment 71.3% of medication
errors, and 80% of delay in treatment events, all resulting
in death or permanent loss of function.26 Between 2005