Sleep and Delirium

Sleep is an important factor in recovery and is often disturbed whilst in Critical Care.

Noises from alarms, lights, buzzers, regular interventions, new medications, in addition to being unwell, can all lead to poor sleep and disorientation. We try to reduce these as best as possible and offer our patients ear plugs, eye masks and sometimes temporary medication to help sleep. These are all to reduce the risk of developing delirium which can reduce treatment effectiveness and increase complications and hospital stay.

We may ask relatives/friends to come in to support re-orientation.