Sleep in the ICU. Factors influencing sleep quality. Qualitative-quantitative survey conducted at the A.O.N. "SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo" of Alessandria, Italy.

The sleep/wake rhythm is one of the most important biological processes for the human organism.
The alternation between these two states is regulated by a number of mechanisms including a homeostatic process that takes into account the need for sleep based on the duration of the state. Homeostatic process that takes into account the need for sleep based on the duration of the previous state of previous waking state, and a circadian process that oversees the temporal distribution of the two states, determining at various times of the day a propensity for one or the other. In specialized intensive care unit (ICU) services, an increasing focus on the care of the organ can lead the operators involved to neglect, in some cases the care of the person. In particular, considering specifically the sleep/wake relationship, it is noted that a limited attention to the nocturnal comfort of the patient and to the restoration of the correct circadian rhythm, which can lead to various problems.