Nurse Fatigue: The Human Factor

Alabama Nurse, Sep-Nov 2005 by Tabone, Stephanie

What could we do in the meantime? Nurses could be proactive in developing scheduling that improves the safety and quality of care. Within the profession, we could facilitate schedules that include adequate restorative rest for our colleagues. We could (and we probably should), based upon aviation data, consider the inclusion of naps to counteract micro sleep, especially on night shifts. We could stop encouraging shift durations that exceed reason and admit to each other that we are not super humans-that we are, after all, only human.

References

Gaba, DM., M.D., Howard, S.K., M.D. (2002). Fatigue among clinicians and the safety of patients. The New England Journal of Medicine (347) 16 pp 1249-1255.

Golden, L. Jorgensen, H. (2002) Time After Time: Mandatory overtime in the U.S. Economy. Economic Policy Institute Briefing Paper. Available: [http://epinet.org].

Jha, A.K., M.D., Duncan, B.W. M.D., Bates, D.W. M.D. M.Sc., (2001). Chapter 46. Fatigue, Sleepiness, and Medical Errors. Evidence Report /Technology Assessment No.43 Making Health Care Safer: A critical analysis of patient safety practices. Available: [http://www.ahcpr.gove/clinic/ptsafety/inde x.html].

Mann, M.B., (1999) Testimony: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Hearing on Pilot Fatigue before the Aviation Sub Committee of the Committee on Transportation Infrastructure United State House of Representatives August 3, 1999. Available: [http://www.house.gov/transportation/aviation/08-03-99/mann.html].

Rogers, A.E., Hwang, W., Scott, L., Aiken, L. and Dinges D., (2004). The working hours of hospital staff nurses and patient safety. Health Affairs (23) 4 pp 202-212.

Strauss, S., (2002). Pilot Fatigue: Fatigue and flight operations. Aerospace Medicine NASA/Johnson Space Center. Available [http://aeromedical.org/Articles/ Pilot_Fatigue.html].

Wotten, V.D., M.D.,(2002). Fatigue and Desynchronosis in Air Crews: Recognition of the causes and signs of fatigue is central to safe and effective air operations. Available: [http://www. camiljccbi.gov/AAM-400A/FASMB/FAS200202/Desync.htm].

Reprinted with permission of the Texas Nurses Association, Copyright© 2005

by Stephanie Tabone, MSN, RN, TNA

Director of Practice