Nighttime lighting in intensive care units.

high acuity of patients, and improved technology have transformed intensive care units (ICUs) into increasingly complex and fast-paced environments where specialized care is provided on a 24-hour basis. Although the necessity of around-the-clock care is easily understood, the environment that is created and the resulting potential sleep disruptions are not always optimal for patients’ healing and successful outcomes. Multifactorial issues, including noise, lighting, patient care activities, vital signs, phlebotomy, and medication administration have often been identified as potential causes of sleep disruptions in the ICU. In a study on nocturnal interruptions of patient care in critical care units, a mean of 42.6 patient care interactions occurred each night, only 9 uninterrupted 2to 3-hour periods of sleep were documented in 147 nights, and 62% of patients’ baths were performed between the hours of 9 PM and 6 AM. Nighttime Lighting in Intensive Care Units