Bettering Sleep Hygiene to Decrease Delirium and Improve Patient Satisfaction on an Inpatient Oncology Unit

Poor sleep during hospitalization can negatively affect patient health, well-being, and satisfaction. This nurse-led quality improvement project aimed to promote quality sleep on an inpatient telemetry medical–surgical oncology unit. Interventions included distributing sleep hygiene kits (eye masks, earplugs, lip balm, and aromatherapy), educating patients and staff, and redesigning workflows to limit sleep interruptions at night. Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey scores for quietness at night increased from 66% to 76%, with fewer reported cases of delirium postimplementation.

At a Glance

• Poor sleep during hospitalization can complicate cancer treatment and prolong hospitalization.
• Providing sleep hygiene kits and limiting interruptions at night are nonpharmacologic interventions that promote sleep in hospitals.
• Quality sleep can improve patient satisfaction and decrease episodes of delirium during hospitalization.