Sleep Deprivation in the Intensive Care Patient

Abstract

Topic Sleep deprivation in the intensive care unit setting. Clinical Relevance The Society of Critical Care Medicine has identified sleep deprivation as a significant contributor to the development of delirium in adult patients in the intensive care unit. Thus, preventing and managing sleep deprivation is important in reducing the incidence of delirium in this patient population. A multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach to promoting sleep in the intensive care unit setting that includes sleep hygiene routines, nursing care plans, and appropriate medication regimens may improve patient outcomes, including reducing delirium. Purpose of Article To review the current literature on sleep deprivation in the intensive care unit setting and present care guidelines in a concise format. This information may be helpful in the development of clinical tools and may guide future quality improvement projects aimed at reducing delirium through sleep promotion in critical care patients. Content Covered A review of current literature and national organization recommendations revealed consistent themes in addressing the problem of sleep deprivation in the intensive care unit. Modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors included frequent care interactions, light, noise, medication effects, and preexisting sleep problems.

Effect of massage therapy on sleep quality in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…For non-pharmacological nursing interventions, wearing eye masks and earplugs are the most used care techniques to manage environmental factors (Grimm, 2020). However, 65.9% of nurses integrate complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy, especially massage therapy (MT), in their patients' treatment to reduce patients' stress and anxiety and improve their health (Balouchi et al, 2018).…”

“…To date, only three review studies and one meta‐analysis have examined the effects of MT on critically ill patients (Grimm, 2020; Jagan et al, 2019; Yari et al, 2021). Jagan et al (2019) found that massage interventions positively affect the outcomes of critically ill patients.…”

“…Biological and environmental factors affect the sleep quality of critically ill patients by 36% and 20%, respectively (Miranda‐Ackerman et al, 2020). Moreover, sleep deprivation contributes to several adverse outcomes, including immune system compromise, cognitive problems, muscular complications, respiratory abnormalities, delirium, prolonged mechanical ventilation, impairment of the wound healing process and increased mortality (Grimm, 2020).…”

The effects of ergonomic sleep mask use on sleep quality and comfort in intensive care patients

“…In the literature, it was reported that patients in the ICU experienced sleep disorders at rates ranging from 24% to 90% (Al Mutair et al, 2020; Huang et al, 2014). Although the rates may vary from study to another, it has been stated that 75% of intensive care patients have sleep problems due to noise, alarm sounds are the leading cause of noise, and the most prominent complaints of patients about sleep are waking up frequently (Boesen et al, 2016; Demir & Öztunç, 2017; Grimm, 2020; Pulak & Jensen, 2016). These results show that there is a need for tools and equipment to reduce the exposure of patients to noise in the ICU.…”

Noise reduction in the ICU: a best practice implementation project

“…However, there is low adherence to these measures, and they need to be adequately incorporated into routine team practices. 14 , 16 …”