Effects of Noise on Healthcare staff in a tertiary care hospital

 

Background and Objective: 

Knowledge regarding noise pollution has been increasing recently, but awareness in the context of hospital settings is necessary among the hospital staff to make noise reduction in hospitals a priority in India. The objective of this study is to determine the awareness regarding hospital noise and its effects among staff working in a tertiary care hospital in North India.

Materials and Methods: 

A cross-sectional study was conducted among staff members working in any capacity in a 1600-bedded tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India. A predesigned, pretested, semistructured questionnaire was used to collect information on knowledge and perception among the staff regarding hospital noise in their workplace and its effects. Data were analyzed in SPSS 21 IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 21.0 [Computer software]. IBM Corp.

Results: 

Of 450 study participants, 319 (70.9%) agreed that noise affects human health and 235 (52.2%) were knowledgeable regarding any hospital noise legislation. The most frequently perceived health effect of hospital noise was annoyance (311, 69.3%), followed by hearing impairment (285, 63.5%). Workplaces were deemed to be noisy by only 219 (48.7%) respondents. Of the sources of noise identified, 29% were totally avoidable and 23% were partially avoidable. Education, socioeconomic status, and area of work were significantly associated with knowledge and perceptions regarding hospital noise.

Conclusions: 

Knowledge regarding hospital noise and its effects was lacking among 25–50% of the staff working in the hospital. More than half of the identified hospital noise sources were either completely or partially avoidable through staff sensitization, strategic procedural changes to mitigate noise, and strict implementation of patient and visitor rules.

Indian Journal of Community Medicine ():10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_654_24, November 13, 2025. | DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_654_24

https://journals.lww.com/ijcm/fulltext/9900/knowledge_and_perception_of_hospital_noise_and_its.269.aspx

After Diwali exercise precautions

 

Isolation of Open Active Case of TB could help in eliminating TB

 

Is Isolation of Open Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis Cases the Last Mile Strategy to Achieve Tuberculosis Elimination in India?

Tuberculosis (TB), despite extensive global efforts for elimination, continues to pose significant public health challenges, particularly in high-burden countries like India. This review explored the TB cases for a minimum period of 2 weeks as a critical strategy to curb transmission and achieve TB elimination targets. Analysing historical and current epidemiological data, we discussed the burden of TB and its transmission dynamics, emphasising the role of early detection and isolation in halting community spread. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and associated co-morbidities such as diabetes, undernutrition, and tobacco and alcohol use exacerbate challenges in TB control. We presented isolation policies, modelled on the success of infection control strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic, as pivotal interventions, particularly in managing MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB). Recommendations included targeted use of isolation, enhanced ventilation, respiratory hygiene, and community education to mitigate household and community transmission. The role of community health workers, such as ASHAs and ANMs, is critically examined to ensure their involvement maximises TB care without increasing the risk of transmission. Key strategies include implementing evidence-based harm reduction in crowded settings through maximised natural ventilation and strict respiratory hygiene. Critically, these measures must be integrated into the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) through structural support, such as training community health workers to conduct home assessments, establishing community-based short-stay isolation centers, and making psychosocial support a routine component of care. By integrating robust public health measures with comprehensive psychosocial and financial support, the path toward TB elimination, while challenging, becomes increasingly feasible and equitable.

Keywords: Tuberculosis, isolation, transmission, MDR-TB, infection control, household contacts, disease elimination

https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202585

Certificate of Excellence is awarded for best doctor for community medicine and academciain in Delhi 2025

 

Safdarjung Hospital Staff is trained in anti-tobacco program

 

An awareness session on "Tobacco cessation" was held in Preventive Health and Screening OPD under Department of Community Medicine of VMMC & Safdarjung hospital on 30th July 2025 for security personnel and sanitation workers of the hospital. The event was graced by Dr. Avinash Sunthlia, Deputy Assistant Director General, National Tobacco Control Program, MoHFW, GoI. His session titled “The Truth Behind the Smoke: What You Need to Know About Tobacco” raised awareness about the health hazards associated with tobacco use, cessation strategies and offered clear insights into national efforts for tobacco control. The menace of tobacco in hospital was explained in detailed. Dr. Jugal Kishore, Director Professor and former HOD, Community Medicine said that all hospital staff should act as a role model for patients and their relatives in adapting healthy lifestyle. They should be free from tobacco smoking and chewing. It is also stated tobacco cessation services are available in the OPD and they can seek help if they themselves or anyone is addicted to tobacco use. Tobacco use is one of the most common causes of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, COPD, Asthma, peptic ulcer, low birth weight, still birth, impotency, etc. It is responsible for approximately 1.35 million deaths annually, accounting for about 9.5% of total deaths in India. Staff was also told about the self-oral examination and its cleaning practices. 

Review of the National Health Program is published in International J Nursing & Midwifery Research

 

Social Challenges for Older Adult care at Homes: Policy Directives

 

Available from : 
social_challenges_for_older_adult_care_at_homes_.10.pdf