Is it Noise? Factors Linked With Sleep Interruption in Hospitalized Patients.

Purpose/aim: The aim of this study was to explore the perceived quality of sleep and sleep disturbances in hospitalized patients.

Design: A prospective descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted at a 172-bed community hospital in Northeast Ohio. A convenient sample of 100 hospitalized patients was recruited from medical/surgical, progressive care, and intensive care units.

Methods: Participants used the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire to report sleep. A quality of sleep assessment survey was used to collect information regarding 17 factors leading to decreased quality of sleep.

Results: Mean sleep score was 47.92 for each question regarding sleep depth, latency, awakenings, time spent awake, and overall sleep quality. Pearson's correlation showed a significantly positive correlation between measure of noise and sleep score. Five environmental factors were identified as most disruptive to sleep: pain, laboratory draws, staff, blood pressure checks, and intravenous alarms.

Conclusion: The positive correlation between sleeping well and higher noise levels is noteworthy. Raising awareness about the importance of sleep in the hospital setting and introducing interventions to promote a quiet environment and minimize sleep-disturbing factors may increase patient satisfaction scores and improve healing.