The Effectiveness of Designated Quiet Time on Patient

Sleep in the Intensive Care Unit. A Research Proposal.

Janelle Bogran, Enrique Caloca, Jenny Hsu, Michelle Merchant, & Shaun Nelson

Background
An ICU should be an
environment in which critically ill
patients can get well. Research
has shown that these units are
frequently chaotic, loud, and
disruptive to patients ability to
sleep and rest (Salas &
Gamaldo, 2008).
Many studies have shown
the harmful effects sleep
deprivation can have on a
critically ill patient (Salas &
Gamaldo, 2008). Stressors can
deplete energy resources in an
already taxed critically ill
patient.
A method that increases the
opportunity for sleep in the
critically ill patient is an
adherence to a quiet time policy
which limits interruptions during
specified periods of time.

Selyes Theory: General Adaptation Syndrome

(McEwen & Wills, 2010)

Proposed Methodology
Study Design: This is a quantitative, pre-test, post-test,
longitudinal study for one week of data collection.

Population: 100 adult ICU hospital patients.

Data Analysis: Regression and paired t-test will be used to
analyze the data.

Aim
The independent variable
is designated hospital-wide
quiet times.

The dependent variables

are patient and nurse
reported hours of patient
sleep

Question

Implications

Will establishing a hospital wide

policy for designated quiet time
enhance a patients sleep time
in the Intensive Care Unit
(ICU)?

The findings of this study will impact healthcare administrators

and policy makers in healthcare organizations by providing
more information regarding the effect of designated quiet times
in patient recovery time. This study will also increase nurses
awareness regarding the importance of sleep.

Acknowledgement

References

Special thanks to Dr. Najood Azar for

her support and guidance

McEwen, M., & Wills, E.M. (2010). Theoretical basis for nursing. (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA:
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Salas, R.E.& Gamaldo, C.E. (2008). Adverse effects of sleep deprivation in the ICU. Critical
Care Clinics, 24 (Sleep in the ICU), 461-471.doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2008.02.006

SRCC poster template provided by Instructional Resources and Office of Undergraduate Research

To evaluate the effectiveness of

a designated quiet time in
improving the critically ill
patients sleep time.

Variables