%0 Journal Article
%T Factors contributing to sleep deprivation in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit in South Africa
%A Valerie J. Ehlers
%A Heather Watson
%A Mary M. Moleki
%J Curationis
%D 2013
%I AOSIS OpenJournals
%X Patients in intensive care units require rest and sleep to recuperate, but might suffer from sleep deprivation due to ongoing unit activities. The study aimed to identify and describe the factors contributing to sleep deprivation in one multi-disciplinary intensive care unit MDICU) in a private hospital in South Africa. Quantitative, descriptive research was conducted to identify factors contributing to sleep deprivation in the research setting, and to make recommendations to enhance these patientsĄŻ abilities to sleep. Structured interviewswere conducted with 34 adult non-ventilated patients who had spent at least one night in the MDICU and who gave informed consent. Out of the 34 interviewed patients 70.6% n = 24) indicated that they suffered from sleep deprivation in the MDICU. The five major factors contributing to sleep deprivation in a MDICU were, (1) not knowing nursesĄŻ names, noise caused by alarms, (2) stress, (3) inability to understand medical terms, and (3) blood pressure cuffs that restricted patientsĄŻ movements and smelled badly. PatientsĄŻ abilities to sleep were enhanced by reassuring nurses whose names they knew and with whom they could communicate. By attending to the identified five major factors, patientsĄŻ abilities to sleep in a MDICU could be enhanced enabling patients to recuperate faster. The implementation of such measures need not incur financial costs for the MDICU concerned.
%K intensive care nursing
%K MaslowĄŻs hierarchy of needs
%K multi-disciplinary intensive care units
%K sleep deprivation
%U http://www.curationis.org.za/index.php/curationis/article/viewFile/72/1100