| Premature infants are often transported from one hospital to another by helicopter. These infants are placed in incubators designed for neonatal transport. However, it is unknown what the noise levels are within these incubators during transport and whether they are safe for compromised infants. The purpose of this study was to measure sound levels that are encountered by infants being transported between army hospital facilities via a Black Hawk helicopter. Measurements were made within an infant transporter typically used to transport very ill neonates from one hospital to another. A total of 33 measurements were made within and outside of the transporter while it was in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), during transit between the NICU and the helicopter, and while flying in the helicopter. Although while in flight, the transporter reduced outside noise levels up to 18 dB under some conditions, the sound pressure levels within the transporter were still considered unacceptably high for infant exposure. The average SPL within the transporter with both transporter doors and helicopter windows closed was 89 dB and ranged from 87 to 94 dB. Because of the limited information on safe noise levels for infants, further studies are warranted. Recommendations for reducing these potentially damaging noise levels during the transportation of infants were discussed. |
