Centre of Expertise Urban Vitality

Effect of nocturnal sound reduction on the incidence of delirium in intensive care unit patients

an interrupted time series analysis

Article

<p>INTRODUCTION: Delirium in critically-ill patients is a common multifactorial disorder that is associated with various negative outcomes. It is assumed that sleep disturbances can result in an increased risk of delirium. This study hypothesized that implementing a protocol that reduces overall nocturnal sound levels improves quality of sleep and reduces the incidence of delirium in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.</p><p>METHODS: This interrupted time series study was performed in an adult mixed medical and surgical 24-bed ICU. A pre-intervention group of 211 patients was compared with a post-intervention group of 210 patients after implementation of a nocturnal sound-reduction protocol. Primary outcome measures were incidence of delirium, measured by the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) and quality of sleep, measured by the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ). Secondary outcome measures were use of sleep-inducing medication, delirium treatment medication, and patient-perceived nocturnal noise.</p><p>RESULTS: A significant difference in slope in the percentage of delirium was observed between the pre- and post-intervention periods (-3.7% per time period, p=0.02). Quality of sleep was unaffected (0.3 per time period, p=0.85). The post-intervention group used significantly less sleep-inducing medication (p<0.001). Nocturnal noise rating improved after intervention (median: 65, IQR: 50-80 versus 70, IQR: 60-80, p=0.02).</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of delirium in ICU patients was significantly reduced after implementation of a nocturnal sound-reduction protocol. However, reported sleep quality did not improve.</p>

Reference van de Pol, I., van Iterson, M., & Maaskant, J. (2017). Effect of nocturnal sound reduction on the incidence of delirium in intensive care unit patients: an interrupted time series analysis. Intensive & critical care nursing, 41(August), 18-25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2017.01.008
1 August 2017

Publication date

Aug 2017

Author(s)

Ineke van de Pol
Mat van Iterson
Jolanda Maaskant

Publications:

Research database