Is the Current Lights-Off Time in General Hospitals Too Early, Given People's Usual Bedtimes?

Objective This study aimed to investigate how shift-working nursing professionals perceive the current lights-off time in wards as early, appropriate, or late and how their perceptions can be influenced when considering people's usual bedtimes. Methods An online survey was conducted comprising queries about the current lights-off time in wards and respondents' opinions, self- rated psychological status, and perceptions of the current lights-off time considering others' usual bedtimes. Psychological status was evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep-16, and the Discrepancy between Desired Time in Bed and Desired Total Sleep Time (DBST) Index, along with the expected DBST Index of others. Results Of 159 nursing professionals, 88.7% regarded the current lights-off time of 9:46 +/- 0:29 PM as appropriate. However, when considering others' usual bedtimes, the proportion perceiving the lights-off time as too early rose from 6.9% to 28.3%. Participants recommended delaying the lights-off time to 10:06 +/- 0:42 PM for patients' sleep and 10.22 +/- 0:46 PM for nursing care activities. Nursing professionals' insomnia severity was significantly higher among who responded that current light off time is too early after considering usual bedtime of other people. Conclusion This study underscores the need to reassess lights-off times in wards given individuals' typical bedtimes. The findings emphasize the need to address nursing professionals' perspectives and insomnia severity when optimizing lights-off schedules in healthcare settings.