Quality of sleep in the medical department

The quality of sleep in 134 patients admitted to two medical departments and an intensive coronary care unit was studied by comparing pre- and post-admission sleeping scores. Four aspects of sleep have been evaluated: duration of sleep; number of awakenings; personal assessment of quality of sleep; and the need for using sleeping pills. Results were expressed in scores ranging from 1 (worst) to 4 (best). A significant reduction in the mean quality of sleep for the entire group was found for all scores employed (P < 0.01-P < 0.001). Of the 134 patients, 51% had a reduction in post-admission total sleep score (23 +/- 3%, mean +/- SE); 31% had no change or mixed trends in the various scores, with a change in total sleep score not exceeding 3 +/- 3%; and 18% had an improved total sleep score (16 +/- 2%). Of the individual scores, a deterioration was found in the following order of frequency: number of awakenings (37%); personal assessment of quality of sleep (32%); duration of sleep (31%); and the need for using sleeping pills (26%). Of the reasons specified for impaired quality of sleep, the most important were noise made by other patients or by the medical staff (47%), and the patient's own disease (30%). Significant differences in the quality of sleep between the two medical departments located in different hospitals have been encountered (P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)