Excessive noise in hospital environments can be disruptive for both patients and healthcare staff. In light of this, Shravan Govindaraj, Product Marketing Manager at XP Power, highlights how hospitals can reduce noise pollution in essential medical equipment.
Noise pollution in hospitals
Healthcare environments are filled with life-saving technologies – imaging systems, ventilators, monitors, and infusion pumps – but few recognise how these machines also contribute to a constant stream of low-level noise. This includes everything from high-frequency switching noise (often referred to as coil whine) to fan-generated airflow, much of it originating from the power supplies that operate 24/7 at a patient’s bedside.
According to WHO guidelines, hospital noise should not exceed 35 dB(A) during the day and 30 dB(A) at night. Yet, studies show that average levels often exceed 55 dB(A), with some peak readings reaching an alarming 117 dB(A).
Chronic noise at these levels has been linked to severe health consequences, including elevated heart rates, sleep deprivation, and even long-term psychological distress in ICU survivors. Comprehensive reviews of ICU noise levels confirm that quieter equipment can dramatically mitigate these risks and significantly enhance patient-centred care.
The role of critical power supplies
When not specifically optimised for medical settings, power supplies can be significant noise generators. Common contributors include fan noise from forced-air cooling, audible coil whine from magnetic components, and vibrational hum from transformers.
In sensitive areas like neonatal wards and intensive care units, these sounds aren’t just an annoyance; they’re clinically disruptive. Vulnerable patients – including the elderly, infants, and those recovering from trauma – are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of prolonged noise exposure, which can directly impede healing outcomes.
Fanless, low-noise design should be a clinical priority
As hospitals strive to create more healing-focused environments, the demand for low-noise power solutions is critical. Power supplies specifically designed for healthcare applications – such as fanless, convection-cooled, and acoustically optimised units – can play a key role in reducing clinical noise. These designs eliminate the need for noisy internal fans, reduce high-frequency emissions that disrupt patient rest, and still meet stringent IEC 60601-1 medical safety standards.
IEC 60601-1 is an international standard that ensures the basic safety and essential performance of medical electrical equipment, covering factors like electrical shock protection, mechanical hazards, and electromagnetic compatibility, all crucial for ensuring patient and operator safety in clinical environments.
Hospitals need to choose these advanced power systems, and manufacturers can enable the development of quieter, safer, and more restful clinical spaces.
Device manufacturers and healthcare designers must prioritise how they power their environments
The focus should extend beyond just reliability and compliance to encompass patient comfort and care. By reducing unnecessary background noise, you don’t just meet engineering benchmarks; you actively contribute to a more effective healing process.
