THE EFFECTS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION ON WORK PERFORMANCE AMONG NURSES WORKING IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS OF BAHAWALPUR’S TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS

Abstract

Background: Sleep deprivation is a prevalent and under-addressed issue among nurses, particularly those working in high-acuity environments such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The demands of shift work, long hours, and high-stress conditions contribute to disrupted sleep patterns, impairing cognitive functions crucial for patient care. Existing literature highlights a strong link between sleep deprivation and diminished nursing performance, increased medical errors, and emotional exhaustion. Aim and Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of sleep deprivation on the performance of ICU nurses in a tertiary care hospital in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Specific objectives included examining its effects on psychomotor skills, memory, emotional well-being, and decision-making, and exploring whether interventions such as napping during shifts could mitigate these effects. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. A total of 73 registered ICU nurses from both public and private hospitals in Bahawalpur were selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, closed-ended questionnaire focusing on sleep patterns, cognitive performance, and error frequency. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 27.0.1. Results: Most participants (86.3%) were between 21–30 years old, with nearly equal gender distribution. A significant number (60.3%) reported attention or memory lapses due to fatigue, and an equal proportion admitted to making or nearly making errors at work. Approximately 61.1% acknowledged that lack of sleep adversely affected their performance. Emotional exhaustion was reported by 90.4% at varying frequencies. Only 4.1% rated their sleep quality as excellent, while 37% rated it poor or very poor. Conclusion: Sleep deprivation significantly compromises ICU nurses' cognitive and psychomotor performance, decision-making, and emotional health. Addressing sleep hygiene, implementing regulated shift patterns, and supporting fatigue mitigation strategies are essential to enhance nursing performance and ensure patient safety.