What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate the impact of a sleep improvement program on mortality rates and patient safety in mental health wards.

April 10, 2026

Mortality Rates Following a Sleep Improvement Program in UK Mental Health Wards: Evidence That a Personalized Sleep Care Plan Can Be Safely Implemented

Key Points

Evaluate the impact of a sleep improvement program on mortality rates and patient safety in mental health wards.
Implemented a ward-based sleep improvement program including a protected sleep period.
Educated staff on best practices for sleep management.
Conducted personalized risk assessments for each patient.
Indicated that frequent overnight observations might increase patient safety risks by disrupting sleep.
Supported the safe implementation of personalized sleep care plans in wards.

Abstract

We challenge the perceived benefit to patient safety of frequent overnight observations for all inpatients and suggest that nursing observations that disturb sleep may increase risk in themselves. A ward-based sleep improvement program that includes a protected sleep period can be safely implemented, but staff education and a personalized risk assessment are key.

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Discussion

Authors

Kirstie N. Anderson

Ron Weddle

Harry James Cape

Journals

Journal of Patient Safety

Actions

Institutions

Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

References and Citations

Connected Papers

Building similarity graph...

Analyzing shared references across papers

Mortality Rates Following a Sleep Improvement Program in UK Mental Health Wards: Evidence That a Personalized Sleep Care Plan Can Be Safely Implemented

Key Points

Abstract

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

Authors

Journals

Actions

Institutions

References and Citations

Citation Network

Connected Papers

Discussion

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