title: A patient survey of sleep quality in the Intensive Care Unit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) experience qualitative and quantitative sleep disruption leading to sleep deprivation and adverse sequelae. Patient-related factors, environmental factors, and health-support techniques contribute to sleep disruption. This quality improvement study examines potential factors contributing to poor sleep in the ICU.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical and surgical patients who spent at least one night in one of two academic Canadian ICUs were asked to complete a questionnaire that explored quality and quantity of sleep, factors contributing to poor sleep, and suggested modifications to improve sleep in the ICU. Patient demographics as well as admission data were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study population was 116 patients (63 M:53 F). Mean age was 55.5 ± 18.1 years and APACHE II score 16.0 ± 7.9. 45.7% were mechanically ventilated, and 68.9% received intravenous sedatives and/or analgesics. Sleep quality in the ICU was rated as poor/very poor by 59% of patients compared to 24% at home; the 5 most frequently cited reasons for this were noise, pain, light, loud talking, and intravenous catheters. Patients suggested the following nocturnal modifications: closing doors/blinds, no unnecessary interruptions, sleeping pills, and dimmed lights. No significant correlations were found between perceived sleep quality and illness severity or mechanical ventilation. Patients who received intravenous sedatives reported better sleep quality (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients commonly report poor sleep in the ICU related to environmental factors that are potentially modifiable.
authors.affiliation: Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ethier
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ayas
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thanachayanont
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D018806:APACHE; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012892:Sleep Deprivation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives