Table 3 Interventions to reduce sleep disturbance

Establish a nocturnal environment

By reducing volumes of alarms and phones.

Enhance staff awareness of noise produced by conversations

Soundear

Employ the use of night settings in monitoring equipment with backlighting to reduce exposure to light.

Judicious use of pharmacological agents

Monitor, assess and treat pain

Devise individualised sleep hygiene routines

Employ relaxation techniques in preparation for sleep

Music therapy and massage

Decrease environmental stimulus

Via the use of eye masks and ear plugs

Reduce nocturnal clinical interactions

Cluster clinical care and scheduling of procedures

Ventilator support to promote rest overnight

Reduce daytime napping in order to reduce circadian dys-synchrony

Promote daytime activity

Such as sitting out of bed and mobilisation