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How To Maximize A Stay In A Hospital

How To Take Steps To Permit Sleep

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9/19

Sleeping in a hospital can be very difficult. You are in a strange and sometimes noisy environment.  To make matters worse, patients are often awakened every few hours for medications, blood pressure checks and IV adjustments.

To improve the chances to get a good night's sleep:

  • Ask your doctor or nurse if nighttime tasks can be combined in one visit.  Making prior arrangements permits better coordination of your care and will result in less interruption. 
  • Speak with your doctor about leaving a standing order for sleeping medication in case you need it.  Without a standing or "p.r.n." (as needed) medication order, the nurses can't provide you with any sleeping medication.
  • Consider using a sleeping mask and earplugs. You can even consider bringing in your own white noise, such as a machine that makes sounds like a waterfall. 
  • At bed time, ask the nurse to shut the door and turn out all unnecessary lights.  
  • Be sure that your blinds to your room are drawn so you are not awakened by dawn's light -- especially if you are light sensitive.  

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