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Impatient for Inpatient Sleep: Treating Sleep Disturbances in the Hospital Setting

  • Insomnia and Pharmacotherapy (H Attarian and M Kay-Stacey, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Sleep Medicine Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Disturbed sleep and sleep deprivation are common complaints among inpatients; however, limited research has targeted this population to investigate primary causes and solutions, and no comprehensive guidelines address this widespread problem.

Recent Findings

Many factors contribute to inpatient sleep difficulty. Key environmental sources are excess noise and light. The use of earplugs and eye masks are supported by some studies. Attempts to reduce disturbing light and noise on hospital units have been helpful. Schedule modifications that limit awakenings for measurements and medications also have been shown to be beneficial. Patients with inpatient sleep complaints are prescribed a wide range of medications, though little guidance is available to direct therapy with regard to pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic features, adverse event risks, and potential interactions.

Summary

A combination of environmental modifications and altered schedules for routine assessments, procedures, and treatments; individualized non-pharmacological interventions; and strategically chosen medications for selected patients should help minimize nighttime sleep disruption in hospitalized patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    David N. Neubauer

  2. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 4940 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA

    David N. Neubauer

  3. Pediatric Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Sapna R. Kudchadkar

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  1. David N. Neubauer
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Correspondence to David N. Neubauer.

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David N. Neubauer and Sapna Kudchadkar declare no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Insomnia and Pharmacotherapy

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Neubauer, D.N., Kudchadkar, S.R. Impatient for Inpatient Sleep: Treating Sleep Disturbances in the Hospital Setting. Curr Sleep Medicine Rep 3, 333–341 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-017-0098-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-017-0098-8

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