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Evaluation
of Noise Levels Generated by Mechanical Ventilators on Conventional Adult
Settings
Frank Miller, RRT,
Eric Davis, RRT. Respiratory Department, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Scottsdale, AZ.
Many studies have evaluated the
noise generated by high frequency ventilators or environmental conditions in
the ICU setting. However, little information on noise generated by ventilators
on conventional adult settings is available. We questioned what the difference
in noise levels generated by different ventilators on conventional adult settings
was and how it differed by location to the patient. We evaluated the noise generated
by eight different ventilators from each side of a patient?s bed.
Methods: The Puritan Bennett
760, 760 (with modified expiratory device), 840 and 7200, Bear 3, Siemens 900C
and 300A, and Versamed I-Vent were evaluated using two Puritan Bennett 500cc
heavy-duty test lungs. Each ventilator was placed on conventional adult settings
(FIO2 0.50, VT 750ml, Rate 12, Peep 5.0, Flow 60 l/m) and evaluated
from equal distances of 33 inches from head center on both sides of an ICU bed.
Noise levels were measured using a Simpson, model 884, sound level meter, calibrated
using a Simpson B90 sound level calibrator at 114 dBA.
Results: measured in dBA
| Right
Side |
Peak Insp. |
Peak Exp. |
Mean Insp. |
Mean Exp. |
Mean Noise |
| PB 840 |
50 (+0.4) |
57 (+0.4) |
49 (+0.5) |
53 (+0.6) |
51 (+1.9) |
| PB 760 |
54 (+0.4) |
71 (+0.4) |
54 (+0.7) |
60 (+0.6) |
57 (+3.4) |
| PB 760
(modified) |
53 (+0.4) |
67 (+0.3) |
53 (+0.3) |
59 (+0.4) |
56 (+2.9) |
| PB 7200 |
56 (+0.6) |
56 (+0.2) |
56 (+0.4) |
56 (+0.4) |
56 (+0.4) |
Bear 3
|
58 (+0.6) |
55 (+0.3) |
56 (+0.5) |
55 (+0.3) |
56 (+0.6) |
| Servo 900C |
59 (+0.5) |
61 (+0.7) |
57 (+0.6) |
59 (+0.8) |
58 (+1.3) |
| Servo
300 |
52 (+0.3) |
61 (+0.5) |
51 (+0.7) |
57 (+0.5) |
54 (+3.1) |
| Versamed
I-Vent |
57 (+0.6) |
66 (+0.4) |
57 (+0.5) |
62 (+0.7) |
59 (+2.6) |
| Left Side |
| PB 840 |
51 (+0.2) |
57 (+0.2) |
49 (+0.2) |
53 (+0.4) |
51 (+2.0) |
| PB 760 |
53 (+0.3) |
64 (+0.3) |
52 (+0.4) |
56 (+0.3) |
54 (+2.1) |
| PB 760
(modified) |
51 (+0.2) |
61 (+0.3) |
51 (+0.3) |
55 (+0.4) |
53 (+2.1) |
| PB 7200 |
58 (+0.7) |
58 (+0.3) |
58 (+0.4) |
58 (+0.6) |
58 (+0.5) |
| Bear 3 |
57 (+0.5) |
59 (+0.7) |
56 (+0.4) |
58 (+0.3) |
57 (+1.0) |
| Servo
900C |
56 (+0.6) |
65 (+0.3) |
56 (+0.4) |
61 (+0.5) |
57 (+0.9) |
| Servo
300 |
54 (+0.5) |
61 (+0.7) |
50 (+0.5) |
56 (+0.4) |
53 (+2.8) |
| Versamed
I-Vent |
61 (+0.6) |
69 (+0.5) |
59 (+0.5) |
65 (+0.5) |
62 (+3.0) |
Conclusions: Noise levels
not only vary from ventilator to ventilator, but several ventilators vary in
noise based on their location to the patient, which may impact patient comfort
and care. The PB 840 appears to generate the lowest noise levels of all ventilators
evaluated and modifications to the PB 760 expiratory system have reduced both
peak and mean noise levels. The PB 760 generates the greatest peak noise on
the patient?s right side, while the Versamed I-Vent generates the greatest peak
noise on the patients left side. The Versamed I-Vent appears to generate the
highest overall mean noise levels.
Ventilators were supplied by Mayo
Clinic, Universal Hospital Inc. and MEDIQ PRN.
OF-01-159
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