CANANDAIGUA – A UR Medicine Thompson Health interdisciplinary team was recently selected by the health system as its 2022 Do It Group (DIG) of the Year for implementing several initiatives to improve patients’ sleep.
Co-chaired by ICU Lead Advanced Practice Provider Anne Finch and ICU/Observation Unit/Diagnostic Imaging Nursing Director Mary Kate Corey, the Sleep Hygiene Guidelines DIG set out to promote healing and wellness as well as improve patient satisfaction by ensuring a minimum of four hours of uninterrupted sleep for patients.
The group’s approach included, but was not limited to, reducing the taking of vital signs overnight, delaying morning lab draws, avoiding overnight medication passes whenever possible, promoting a wakeful daytime environment, and providing patients with items including ear plugs and eye masks. In addition, Thompson created formal guidelines within the hospital’s policy system and cues within its electronic health record system prompting staff to incorporate the guidelines in care. They also provided education to the staff, distributed information sheets to patients, and displayed materials promoting the guidelines.
The DIG conducted patient surveys to gauge the effectiveness of its efforts. Survey results showed improvements in a number of areas, including the time it takes patients to fall asleep, how deeply they are sleeping, and their ability to fall back asleep if awakened.
Joining Corey and Finch on the DIG were eight other Thompson associates: Stephanie Friel, James Hart, Laurie Malotte, Bridget Osterhout, Erica Iversen, Mary Freeman, Shelby Valenti, and Jill Wilson. The group will be formally honored in May during the health system’s Shining Star Awards Ceremony.