Half of the family members of critically ill patients experience excessive daytime sleepiness.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sleepiness and fatigue are commonly reported by family members of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Sleep deprivation may result in cognitive deficits. Sleep deprivation and cognitive blunting have not been quantitatively assessed in this population. We sought to determine the proportion of family members of ICU patients that experience excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep-associated functional impairment, and cognitive blunting.

Methods

Multicenter, cross-sectional survey of family members of patients admitted to ICUs at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, and Christiana Hospital. Family members of ICU patients were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a validated survey assessing sleepiness in everyday situatio

SUBMITTER: Verceles AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4500523 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature