Reference no: EM133858207

Question

One environmental health concern in the hospital is light pollution and its effect on circadian rhythm. While working overnights in the ICU, I have noticed that it takes a collaborative effort to decrease light pollution. Since most of the patients are of higher acuity, nurses and other members of the healthcare team are in and out of rooms at a higher rate than other units. However, it is not only the noise and nursing interventions that affect the sleep of the patients, but also the light pollution. The circadian rhythm, which controls the sleep-wake cycle, depends on light as the primary external factor for regulating the internal clock (Lucchini et al., 2023). Although there are no recommended light levels in the hospital setting, it is important to maintain normal day and night cycles along with clumping care to prevent the increased risk of delirium related to circadian cortisol and melatonin secretion. Again, around-the-clock care is easily understood for patients who need higher acuity care. However, it is the multi-factor causes of sleep disruption that include noise, phlebotomy, medication administration, and baths for ventilated patients that cause the estimated 57% of sleeping done during the.