[Evaluation of acoustic conditions in hospitals of provincial capital cities].

The hospital environment comprises various noise sources of high intensity and changeable character, creating a risk to health and general feeling of patients. Apart from traffic noise and from that caused by medical apparatus and sanitary installations, the acoustic climate of hospitals mainly depends on intrahospital nose. Acoustic conditions are most adverse during morning hours in operation rooms, intensive therapy, maternity and pediatric wards. Corridors belong among the most noisy premises in hospitals; they are a source of disturbances for ca. 64% of patients' rooms. Only 22% of patients' rooms. Only 22% of patients' rooms in morning hours and 47% in the afternoon display acoustic parameters complying with the norms. In as many as 21% of patients' rooms in the morning and in 13% of them in the afternoon, the noise exceeds 45 dB. Acoustic conditions in hospitals can be improved by complex activities aimed at limitation of external noise and at wider application of building-related preventive measures, as well as by reduction of the noise created by medical equipment and transport push-carts, and by changes in work organization and behaviour of the staff.