Sleep disturbances and sedation practices in the intensive care unit--a postal survey in the Netherlands.

Background: Sleep disturbances are common in critically ill patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) with possible serious consequences.

Objective: The aim of this study was to get insight into sleeping and sedation practices in the adult ICUs in the Netherlands and survey which factors are important with respect to sleep in critically ill patients in the ICU.

Method: A multi-centre, exploratory survey sent via mail to nurse managers of all adult ICUs in the Netherlands.