Andrés M. Vélez-Pereira

Nivel continuo equivalente de ruido en la unidad de cuidado intensivo neonatal asociado al síndrome de burnout

Noise levels in neonatal intensive care units allow the appearance of symptoms associated with burnout such as stress, irritability, fatigue and emotional instability on health care personnel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the equivalent continuous noise levels in the neonatal intensive care unit and compare the results with noise levels associated with the occurrence of burnout syndrome on the care team. Continuous sampling was conducted for 20 days using a type I sound level meter on the unit. The maximum, the ninetieth percentile and the equivalent continuous noise level (Leq) values were recorded. Noise level is reported in the range of 51.4-77.6 decibels A (dBA) with an average of 64 dBA, 100.6 dBA maximum, and average background noise from 57.9 dBA. Noise levels exceed the standards suggested for neonatal intensive care units, are close to maximum values referred for noise exposure in the occupational standards and to noise levels associated with the onset of burnout; thus allowing to infer the probability of occurrence of high levels of noise present in the unit on the development of burnout in caregivers.

Nivel de ruido en unidades de cuidado intensivo de un hospital público universitario en Santa Marta (Colombia)

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the noise level in adult, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units of a university hospital in the city of Santa Marta (Colombia). DESIGN A descriptive, observational, non-interventional study with follow-up over time was carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS Continuous sampling was conducted for 20 days for each unit using a type i sound level meter, filter frequency in A weighting and Fast mode. We recorded the maximum values, the 90th percentile as background noise, and the continuous noise level. RESULTS The mean hourly levels in the adult unit varied between 57.40±1.14-63.47±2.13dBA, with a maximum between 71.55±2.32-77.22±1.94dBA, and a background noise between 53.51±1.16-60.26±2.10dBA; in the pediatric unit the mean hourly levels varied between 57.07±3.07-65.72±2.46dBA, with a maximum of 68.69±3.57-79.06±2.34dBA, and a background noise between 53.33±3.54-61.96±2.85dBA; the neonatal unit in turn presented mean hourly values between 59.54±2.41-65.33±1.77dBA, with a maximum value between 67.20±2.13-77.65±3.74dBA, and a background noise between 55.02±2.03-58.70±1.95dBA. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference between the hourly values and between the different units, with the time of day exhibiting a greater influence. CONCLUSIONS The type of unit affects the noise levels in intensive care units, the pediatric unit showing the highest values and the adult unit the lowest values. However, the parameter exerting the greatest influence upon noise level is the time of day, with higher levels in the morning and evening, and lower levels at night and in the early morning.

Distribución espacio-temporal de Aerobacterias en el Relleno Sanitario Palangana, Santa Marta (Colombia)

Different stages during the degradation of municipal solid wastes (MSW) in landfills can contribute to the emission of bioaerosols, which may represent a health hazard causing allergic, respiratory and infectious diseases. However, the studies related to the generation of airborne bacteria in landfill sites in Colombia are still scarce. Therefore, this study was aimed to establish the spatial and temporal distribution of airborne bacteria generated during the final disposal of MSW at the Palangana landfill site, located at Santa Marta district. To achieve this aim, three monitoring locations were selected at different operations taking place in the landfill site, and following the wind direction; these locations corresponded to the active cell, the close cell and the leachate collection pond, where six monitoring campaigns were performed both in the morning and afternoon. Airborne bacteria were collected on standard plate count agar using a two-stage cascade impactor

Noise level in a neonatal intensive care unit in Santa Marta - Colombia.

Abstract Introduction: The environment of neonatal intensive care units is influenced by numerous sources of noise emission, which contribute to raise the noise levels, and may cause hearing impairment and other physiological and psychological changes on the newborn, as well as problems with care staff. Objective: To evaluate the level and sources of noise in the neonatal intensive care unit. Methods: Sampled for 20 consecutive days every 60 seconds in A-weighting curves and fast mode with a Type I sound level meter. Recorded the average, maximum and minimum, and the 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles. The values are integrated into hours and work shift, and studied by analysis of variance. The sources were characterized in thirds of octaves. Results: The average level was 64.00 ±3.62 dB(A), with maximum of 76.04 ±5.73 dB(A), minimum of 54.84 ±2.61dB(A), and background noise of 57.95 ±2.83 dB(A). We found four sources with levels between 16.8-63.3 dB(A). Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the hours and work shift, with higher values in the early hours of the day. Conclusion: The values presented exceed the standards suggested by several organizations. The sources identified and measured recorded high values in low frequencies.

Evaluación de un modelo estadístico para estimar la radiación solar en Magdalena, Colombia

La radiacion solar global se establece como una variable meteorologica necesaria para en el entendimiento de los procesos bioquimicos del ambiente; su medicion es compleja y requiere un alto costo de instalacion, operacion y mantenimiento. Su estimacion se puede realizar mediante formulas empiricas basadas fundamentalmente en su geo-posicionamiento, no obstante la precision de los resultados obtenidos no es adecuada para el entendimiento de los procesos evaluados. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue establecer un modelo estadistico de correlacion para estimar la radiacion solar global a partir de los datos meteorologicos alternos. La informacion meteorologica fue suministrada por el Instituto de Hidrologia, Meteorologia y Estudios Ambientales de Colombia, que proporciono la medicion de radiacion solar, temperatura, humedad relativa y horas de sol. Se plantearon regresiones simples entre las variables y la radiacion solar; y regresiones multiples entre las posibles combinaciones de las variables y la radiacion solar. Se evidencio una buena correlacion estadistica entre las variables radiacion solar, temperatura y humedad relativa, y poca relacion con las horas de sol; siendo la humedad relativa la que guarda una mayor correlacion y por tanto influencia en el modelo. Los modelos multivariados (R2 promedio 11,91%) presentaron mejor ajuste comparado con los modelos simples (R2 promedio 5,66%). El mejor modelo lo establece la regresion multiple en la que se incluyen todas las variables (R2 de 13,75%), no siendo este el modelo mas simple para su estimacion.