How has research changed over the past decade in regard to the impact of sleep deprivation and healthcare
Initial poorly conducted studies mainly discounted sleep deprivation as a cause of impaired cognitive function. Until the 1990s, the prevailing assumption was that humans could adjust to prolonged sleep deprivation without experiencing detrimental cognitive consequences. A recent study has uncovered sleep deprivation’s neurobehavioral outcomes, often unnoticed by afflicted people. The neurobehavioral effects range from straightforward cognition measurements to significantly sophisticated decision-making and judgment mistakes, such as medical mistakes (Tobaldini et al., 2017). Sleep deprivation has several performance outcomes, including involuntary microsleeps, degradation of tasks requiring divergent thinking, and inconsistent attention to rigorous performance.
Describe how the research you found could become an issue in a health care facility. What are the possible conflicts that could arise?
Health practitioners are subjected to several stresses and numerous researches are proving that sleep has a significant impact. For instance, a recent analysis of various research on poor sleep among medics showed that 55% of the physicians work more than 40 hours per week and 30%–70% report sleeping less than six hours per night (Hanson & Huecker, 2019). Inadequate sleep time, poor quality of sleep, and chronic insomnia may all contribute to increased medical malpractices on the front lines. 2020 research discovered that doctors with severe sleep-related impairment had a 97 percent increased risk of self-reported clinically significant medical blunders.
According to Tobaldini et al. (2017), sleep deprivation may lead to cognitive impairment. It impedes performance on activities requiring concentration, decision-making, and mental organization, all of which are often needed during shift duties. When not controlled effectively, it can cause accidents both on and off work. A single night of inadequate sleep might result in a 25% reduction in cognitive ability. The continuous effect has suggested that deprivation of sleep is comparable to alcohol impairment. — 19 hours of continuous activeness is likened to a blood alcohol content of 0.05 %, while 24 hours is equivalent to 0.10 %.
Provide a brief summary of the supporting and opposing arguments for this issue.
Studies consistently evidence that sleep deprivation has a harmful influence on alertness and performance. Sleep scientists frequently advise against becoming deprived of sleep; however, one kind of extreme sleep restriction known as polyphasic sleep seems to preserve a person’s alertness and performance levels. Polyphasic sleep is getting brief naps of 20 to 30 minutes every four hours. This routine will allow one to sleep between two and three hours in a 24-hour cycle. Hanson and Huecker (2019) contend that individuals who slept for thirty minutes every four hours (3 total hours in 24 hours) were more active and performed much better than those who slept for an undisturbed three hours (in 24 hours).
Polyphasic sleep’s paradoxical quality may be due to its impact on circadian rhythms. Deprivation of sleep often alters the circadian cycles of several physiological systems, including cortisol and melatonin synthesis. Frequent naps in this sleep pattern may enable the maintenance of these rhythms despite severe sleep restrictions. Scientists hypothesize that when circadian rhythms are retained, one’s productivity and alertness are ensured too.
How does your facility manage sleep deprivation (if you are not current attached to a facility, research one in your area and discuss their protocol for required hours of sleep, is there a protocol, etc)?
Maintaining a consistent sleep pattern has been emphasized in our facility. It has aided in improving and maintaining adequate sleep length and quality. Additionally, the hospital has developed an atmosphere conducive to sleep. It has designated a dark room that is pleasant in temperature, quiet, and free of distractions as a place where one may sleep for two hours in the event of recent sleeplessness. Blackout curtains and eye masks have been provided, mainly fot thosensleeping during the day due to night shift employment.
Additionally, we have been advised to avoid participating in internet activities that are known to be triggering or anxiety-provoking for an amount of time before sleeping, particularly when in bed. We should make an effort to resist using our phones for messages and alerts throughout the night, even if we suddenly awaken. This will assist your body and mind in transitioning into a sleep state.
Provide research on medical issues that have arisen due to sleep deprivation by a healthcare provider.
The sleep-wake disorder develops in shift workers. Shift work sleep disorder is a circadian rhythm sleep condition distinguished by insomnia and excessive drowsiness due to working a “nontraditional” schedule (one that is incompatible with natural sleep-wake patterns). Insomnia makes it tough to get asleep, remain asleep, or wake one up too early and prevent falling back to sleep. Not only does insomnia deplete one’s energy levels, but it also has a severe effect on one’s health, job performance, and overall quality of life. Also, sleep apnea causes a person’s breathing to stop and resume regularly throughout sleep. Daytime tiredness, loud grunting, and sleeplessness are all symptoms of most persons who suffer from sleep apnea.Most of them experience obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This occurs when the upper airway is physically blocked. Another kind, central sleep apnea (CSA), is caused by a neural system signaling issue. When the trachea is constricted, or the signal is obstructed, the individual will cease breathing. This will occur intermittently but often throughout sleep. They may snort, take a big breath, or entirely awaken with a feeling of gasping, suffocating, or choking when they breathe again. Sleep apnea, if left untreated, may result in heart disease and depression.
References
Hanson, J. A., & Huecker, M. R. (2019). Sleep deprivation.
Tobaldini, E., Costantino, G., Solbiati, M., Cogliati, C., Kara, T., Nobili, L., & Montano, N. (2017). Sleep, sleep deprivation, autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular diseases. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 74, 321-329.