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Annals of Intensive Care

Table 2 Factors impacting on sleep architecture

From: Sleeping on a problem: the impact of sleep disturbance on intensive care patients - a clinical review

Factor

Example

Environmental noise

Staff conversations and monitoring alarms

Prolonged exposure to low levels of artificial light

 

Inflammatory mediators

 

Pain

 

Pharmacological agents

Sedative, opioids, benzodiazepines and inotropes

Mechanical ventilation

 

Increased cortisol release

 

Decreased endogenous melatonin levels

 

Critical illness

 

Clinical interactions

Vital sign monitoring, pathological investigations and medication administration

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