Original Research

Sleepiness in critical care nurses: Results of a pilot study

  1. Salim Surani MD, DABSM, FCCP1,*,
  2. Shyam Subramanian MD, DABSM, FCCP1,
  3. Harsh Babbar MD1,
  4. Jane Murphy RN2,
  5. Raymond Aguillar RRT3

Article first published online: 20 JUN 2008

DOI: 10.1002/jhm.307

Issue

Journal of Hospital Medicine

Journal of Hospital Medicine

Volume 3, Issue 3, pages 200–205, May/June 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Surani, S., Subramanian, S., Babbar, H., Murphy, J. and Aguillar, R. (2008), Sleepiness in critical care nurses: Results of a pilot study. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 3: 200–205. doi: 10.1002/jhm.307

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

  2. 2

    Christus Spohn Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas

  3. 3

    Torr Sleep Center, Corpus Christi, Texas

*Division of Pulmonary/Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 JUN 2008
  2. Article first published online: 20 JUN 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 27 OCT 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 22 OCT 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 25 APR 2007

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Keywords:

  • sleepiness;
  • nurses;
  • MSLT;
  • shift work

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Sleep deprivation, compounded by circadian disruptions, is a common problem in health care workers. Sleepiness in nurses has important implications for patients as well as nurses' own safety.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of the study was to assess comprehensively sleepiness levels in post-night-shift nurses.

METHODS:

Post-night-shift nurses in the ICU and on general floors (medicine and surgery) were assessed using subjective (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]) and objective (Mean Sleep Latency Test [MSLT]) measures.

RESULTS:

ESS was abnormal (>8) in 7 of 10 ICU nurses compared with 2 of 10 floor nurses (P < .005), and mean ESS score was also higher (8.7 ± 3.9 vs. 5.6 ± 2.1, respectively; P = 0.042). MSLT values for the first nap period were in the pathologic range in the ICU nurses compared with the floor nurses (4.65 ± 5.5 vs. 10.85 ± 7.4 minutes, respectively; P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Post-night-shift RNs working in the ICU have a pathologic degree of sleepiness. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2008;3:200–205. © 2008 Society of Hospital Medicine.

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