Increased Sound Levels in the Cardiac ICU Associated with Increased Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Sedation

Sound levels in the CICU were consistently higher than recommended. An increase in heart rate, blood pressure and sedation utilization may suggest a stress response to persistent and sudden loud sounds. Given known negative... read more

Weaning Sedation in Pediatric Intensive Care

The use of sedation and analgesia to provide comfort, safety, and pain treatment are central principles in the care of critically ill children. Most critically ill children are at risk of experiencing pain and discomfort... read more

Awake, Walking, and Intubated – The ICU Breakthrough Giving Patients Their Lives Back

If they knew what it's like for patients surviving after the ICU, that sedation isn't sleep, and that they're being so traumatized and damaged by these normal practices, they would change this. Picture this: it's your... read more

Sleep Disturbances Impact on Outcomes in ICU

Complete disappearance of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was frequently observed in ICUs (50% of patients) and may occur at all times during the ICU stay, as well as in patients breathing spontaneously, after admission or... read more

Dexmedetomidine Improved Sleep Quality in the ICU After Laryngectomy

This pilot study found that a 0.03 μg/kg/h dexmedetomidine infusion improved objective and subjective sleep quality in patients admitted to the ICU after laryngectomy. The dosing regimen used was safe and feasible for use... read more

Dexmedetomidine Improved Sleep Quality in the ICU After Laryngectomy

The Nexus Between Sleep Disturbance and Delirium Among Intensive Care Patients

Sleep in intensive care is hampered due to many factors; the clinical environment itself exacerbates sleep disturbance. Research suggests that interventions aimed at improving sleep quality have produced positive effects... read more

The Nexus Between Sleep Disturbance and Delirium Among Intensive Care Patients

Multicomponent Non-pharmacological Intervention on Delirium and Sleep Quality in SICU

Delirium is a deleterious condition affecting up to 60% of patients in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Few SICU-focused delirium interventions have been implemented, including those addressing sleep-wake disruption,... read more

Multicomponent Non-pharmacological Intervention on Delirium and Sleep Quality in SICU

The Night in the ICU

They say that in the world of the intensive care unit (ICU), there is no night. It can be qualified as a lesser day, but not really as a night. The hustle and bustle may be slower, patient flow and activity may be less, conversations... read more

The Night in the ICU

A Systematic Review of Risk Factors for Sleep Disruption in Critically Ill Adults

This systematic review summarizes all premorbid, illness-related, and ICU-related factors associated with sleep disruption in the ICU. These findings will inform sleep promotion efforts in the ICU and guide further research... read more

A Systematic Review of Risk Factors for Sleep Disruption in Critically Ill Adults

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

A New York Times bestseller and international sensation, this stimulating and important book is a fascinating dive into the purpose and power of slumber. Walker is a Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology and the director... read more

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams

Sedation, Sleep Promotion, and Delirium Screening Practices in the Care of Mechanically Ventilated Children

The results highlight the heterogeneity in sedation practices among intensivists who care for critically ill children as well as a paucity of sleep promotion and delirium screening in PICUs worldwide. The survey was completed... read more

Sedation, Sleep Promotion, and Delirium Screening Practices in the Care of Mechanically Ventilated Children

Sleep Deprived-Patients in ICU May Fail to Get Off Ventilation

Attempts to wean intubated, critically ill patients off mechanical ventilators were less successful when the patients exhibited atypical sleep or pathological wakefulness, researchers reported. The findings suggest that sleep... read more

Sleep Deprived-Patients in ICU May Fail to Get Off Ventilation

Systematic Review of the Effects of ICU Noise on Sleep of Healthy Subjects and the Critically Ill

ICU patients exhibit disturbed sleeping patterns, often attributed to environmental noise, although the relative contribution of noise compared to other potentially disrupting factors is often debated. We therefore systematically... read more

Systematic Review of the Effects of ICU Noise on Sleep of Healthy Subjects and the Critically Ill

Abnormal Environmental Light Exposure in the ICU Environment

Patients' environmental light exposure in the intensive care unit is consistently low and follows a diurnal pattern. No effect of nighttime light exposure was observed on melatonin secretion. Inadequate daytime light exposure... read more

Abnormal Environmental Light Exposure in the ICU Environment

Measuring Sleep in the Intensive Care Unit: A Critical Appraisal of the Use of Subjective Methods

Research using questionnaires to assess sleep is commonplace in light of practical barriers to polysomnography or other measures of sleep. A methodologically sound approach to tool development and testing is crucial to gather... read more

Measuring Sleep in the Intensive Care Unit: A Critical Appraisal of the Use of Subjective Methods

Evaluation of Stressors in ICUs

The environmental and psychological factors affecting intensive care unit patients varied according to age, sex, and educational and surgical status. These factors had adverse effects on the patients. The elimination or modification... read more

Evaluation of Stressors in ICUs

How You Can Protect Your Parent From Delirium

Unlike dementia, which is constant and gets progressively worse, delirium tends to come and go, fluctuating even in the course of a day. The symptoms are transitory, yet for people who develop delirium, it can be the start... read more

How You Can Protect Your Parent From Delirium

Quality and Quantity of Sleep and Factors Associated With Sleep Disturbance in Hospitalized Patients

This study demonstrated that the duration and quality of sleep in hospitalized patients were significantly affected and revealed many potentially modifiable hospital-related factors negatively associated with sleep. Raising... read more

Quality and Quantity of Sleep and Factors Associated With Sleep Disturbance in Hospitalized Patients