SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Sleep Improvement and Delirium Prevention

Pdf Summary

This quality improvement study evaluated whether a delirium prevention protocol and later unit-wide sleep training could improve sleep for adult non-ICU medicine inpatients at UNM Hospital. Poor sleep in the hospital is common and contributes to delirium, morbidity, and mortality.<br /><br />The project followed a timeline of surveys in 2014, 2016, and 2019. In 2015, a multifaceted non-pharmacologic delirium prevention protocol called “Clear Minds” was introduced to protect circadian rhythms. In 2019, nursing staff received unit-wide training in sleep promotion practices. Surveys measured reported sleep duration, sleep quality, and causes of sleep disturbance.<br /><br />Results showed that after the delirium prevention protocol was implemented, average sleep duration increased from 4.1 hours to 4.6 hours, though this change was not statistically significant. Sleep quality did not significantly change after the protocol alone. After unit-wide training was added, average sleep duration rose further to 5.9 hours and sleep quality improved from 3.1 to 3.8 on a 1–5 scale, both statistically significant.<br /><br />Patients continued to report multiple causes of poor sleep. The most common included noise, roommates, vital sign checks, lab draws, pain or discomfort, anxiety, medication administration, missing family or pets, and room temperature.<br /><br />Overall, the study suggests that a non-pharmacologic delirium prevention protocol can partially improve inpatient sleep, and that broader unit-wide sleep promotion training can produce additional gains in both sleep duration and quality. However, persistent sleep disruptions indicate ongoing opportunities to improve hospital sleep practices.

Asset Subtitle

Johnathan Jensen

Meta Tag

Author List Alexandria Viszolay, Anthony Worsham, Bryce Roberts, Jens Langsjoen, Johnathan Jensen, Matthew Smallwood, Morgan Edwards-Fligner

Category Innovations

Concept Delirium Prevention Protocol

Concept Sleep Duration

Concept Hospitalized Patient Sleep

Concept Unit-Wide Staff Training

Concept Sleep Quality

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Presenting Author Johnathan Jensen

Track Quality Improvement

Keywords

delirium prevention

sleep promotion

hospital sleep

non-ICU inpatients

quality improvement

circadian rhythms

non-pharmacologic intervention

sleep duration

sleep quality

nursing training

Delirium Prevention Protocol

Sleep Duration

Hospitalized Patient Sleep

Unit-Wide Staff Training

Sleep Quality