[Evaluation of strategies aimed at reducing the level of noise in different areas of neonatal care in a tertiary hospital]. / Evaluación de las estrategias enfocadas a disminuir el nivel de ruido en las diferentes áreas de atención neonatal en un hospital de tercer nivel.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the noise levels of different areas responsible for newborn care, develop intervention strategies to decrease the noise, and evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS: Prospective, observational and longitudinal study carried out using a sonometer, measuring sound levels for three weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), neonatal intermediate care unit (UCIREN), delivery (TOCO QX) and nursery (CUNERO) units. We implemented an intervention program and subsequent measurements were performed under the same initial conditions. RESULTS: When comparing the decibel levels in different areas during the three weeks, pre- and post-intervention, we found at the neonatal intensive care unit 59.9±4.8 vs. 56.4±4.7 dB (p<0.001), neonatal intermediate care unit 55.3±3.9 vs. 51.3±4.4 dB (p<0.001), delivery unit 57.3±4.6 vs. 57.3±5.5 dB (NS), and nursery unit 57.6±5.8 vs. 53.9±5.8 dB (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant reduction in noise levels of 3.5 dB at the NICU, 4 dB at UCIREN and 3.7 dB at TOCO QX, so the intervention program was effective in these areas; however, the decibel levels registered continue above those recommended by international standards.

A new positive-pressure device for nasal foreign body removal.

OBJECTIVES: Nasal foreign bodies (FBs) are common causes of pediatric emergency consultations. The different methods for removing nasal FBs have varying levels of efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new device for nasal FB removal in children. METHODS: A nasal occlusion device that uses modulated positive pressure to remove FBs was evaluated in a series of 18 patients ranging in age from 1 to 8 years diagnosed with a nasal FB during a period of 7 months. RESULTS: The device successfully removed FBs in 17 (94.4%) of the 18 patients. In 12 of the cases (66.7%), the FB was removed during the first attempt. None of the patients had complications or sequelae at the time of removal or at the follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: The nasal occlusion device used in this study was found to be a promising, safe, effective, and easy to use tool for FB removal in a pediatric emergency room setting.