Publication:

A descriptive comparative study to assess the quality of sleep and factors affecting quality of sleep in hospitalized patients admitted in wards and ICUs of tertiary care hospital, New Delhi

Background A patient’s quality of sleep is significantly affected by various factors within hospital environment. Sleep quality in intensive care units (ICUs) often differs drastically from that in general wards, as the highly technical and fast-paced ICU environment present unique challenges to restful sleep.

Methods This descriptive comparative study design used for inmates of selected wards and ICUs at Tertiary care hospital New Delhi. A convenience sample of 300 patients, 198 from general wards and 102 from intensive care units were selected. A questionnaire consists of a demographic data sheet, modified Pittsburgh sleep quality index for analysing the quality of sleep and a check list for identifying the factors affecting quality of sleep. Data were analysed using SPSS with level of significance set at p<0.05.

Results 51% of patients (53.54 % in general wards and 46.08 % of ICUs) had good quality of sleep. “Staying away from home” (60.61% in general wards and 60.78% in ICUs) was the most reported problem that affects quality of sleep in both the groups of patients. All together 51% of patients had good sleep. The study also compared the quality of sleep of general wards and ICUs, but no significant difference was observed.

Conclusions many patients have poor quality of sleep in the hospital environment. Both general wards and ICUs contains many factors that affects quality of sleep which should be controlled for a sleep friendly environment.