Nighttime noise issues that interrupt sleep after cardiac surgery

Patients' perceptions of noise events that prevent/interrupt nighttime sleep after cardiac surgery and sleep promotion aids were studied for associations with patient characteristics. Overhead paging, equipment, and loud communication prevented/interrupted nighttime sleep; however, most patient characteristics were not associated with the presence or absence of these noise events. Patients selected pain medication to promote sleep. Other sleep aids were used infrequently. Behavioral and structural noise reduction interventions are needed to minimize sleep interruptions.