Perceptions and practices regarding sleep in the intensive care unit a survey of 1,223 critical care providers

Biren B. Kamdar, Melissa P. Knauert, Shirley F. Jones, Elizabeth C. Parsons, Sairam Parthasarathy, Margaret A. Pisani, Linda L. Chlan, Nancy A. Collop, Carolyn D'Ambrosio, Xavier Drouot, Randall Friese, Brian K. Gehlbach, Theresa Krupski, Vipin Malik, Robert L. Owens, Nancy S. Redeker, Kathy Richards, Richard Schwab, Hameeda Shaikh, Paula WatsonGerald L. Weinhouse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rationale: Poor sleep affects a majority of critically ill patients and is believed to be associated with adverse intensive care unit (ICU) outcomes such as delirium. While recent guidelines recommend sleep promotion efforts to improve delirium and other ICU outcomes, little is known about critical care providers' beliefs regarding sleep in the ICU. Objectives: To evaluate providers' perceptions and practices regarding sleep in the ICU. Methods: From April to July 2014, the Sleep in the ICU Survey was disseminated to ICU providers via institutional e-mail lists and four international critical care society distribution lists. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 1,223 surveys were completed by providers from 24 countries. Respondents were primarily nurses (59%) or physicians (39%). Most respondents indicated that ICU patients experienced "poor" or "very poor" sleep (75%) and that poor sleep could affect the ICU recovery process (88%). Respondents also felt that poor sleep was associated with negative ICU outcomes such as the development of delirium (97%), longer length of stay (88%), poor participation in physical therapy (87%), and delayed liberation from mechanical ventilation (83%). The minority (32%) of providers had sleep-promoting protocols; these providers tended to believe their patients slept longer and experienced better sleep quality. Conclusions: Though most clinicians believe that sleep in the ICU is poor and adversely affects patient outcomes, a minority of the ICUs represented by our respondents have sleep promotion protocols. These findings highlight discordant provider perceptions and practices surrounding sleep in the ICU, as well as a possible lack of available evidence-based guidelines for promoting sleep in the ICU.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1370-1377
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of the American Thoracic Society
Volume13
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

Keywords

  • Critical care
  • Delirium
  • Healthcare survey
  • Intensive care unit
  • Sleep

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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