Sleep Patterns and Quality Among Inpatients Recovering From Elective Surgery: A Mixed-Method Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Research
• Sleep Science
• Surgical Patient Care

Background:

• Sleep is crucial for recovery from physiological stress, including surgery.
• Existing research on sleep primarily focuses on intensive care units and medical settings.
• Limited data exists on sleep quality for patients recovering from elective surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sleep quality among inpatients undergoing elective surgery.
• To identify common barriers and facilitators impacting postsurgical sleep.

Main Methods:

• An explanatory sequential mixed-method study was employed.
• Quantitative surveys assessed sleep quality and interruptions.
• Qualitative phone interviews explored sleep barriers and aids in adult surgical inpatients.

Main Results:

• Only 47% of patients reported sleeping well, with 93% experiencing reduced sleep compared to home.
• Patients endured a median of 5 nightly interruptions, significantly impacting sleep quality.
• Key barriers included staff interruptions and roommate noise; pain was not a primary factor.

Conclusions:

• The majority of postsurgical inpatients suffer from poor sleep quality.
• Sleep disruptions are largely modifiable through environmental and procedural adjustments.
• Strategies like clustered care, patient communication, and noise reduction are recommended to enhance sleep quality.