Defining existing practices to support the sleep of hospitalized patients: A mixed‐methods study of top‐ranked hospitals. Issue 8 (19th July 2022) - Affini, Murtala I.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to understand the existing practices and attitudes regarding inpatient sleep at the 2020 US News and World Report (USNWR) Honor Roll pediatric ( n = 10) and adult ( n = 20) hospitals. Section chiefs of Hospital Medicine from these institutions were surveyed and interviewed between June and August 2021. Among 23 of 30 surveyed physician leaders (response rate = 77%), 96% ( n = 22) rated patient sleep as important, but only 43% ( n = 10) were satisfied with their institutions' efforts. A total of 96% ( n = 22) of institutions lack sleep equity practices. Fewer than half (48%) of top hospitals have sleep‐friendly practices, with the most common practices including reducing overnight vital sign monitoring (43%), decreasing ambient light in the wards (43%), adjusting lab and medication schedules (35%), and implementing quiet hours (30%). Major themes from qualitative interviews included: importance of universal sleep‐friendly cultures, environmental changes, and external incentives to improve patient sleep.