Overtime on a rotating-shift pattern impacts nurses alertness increasing risks for patients

Commentary on: Min A, Hong HC, Son S, et al. Overtime and alertness of rotating-shift nurses: an observational study using ecological momentary assessment. J Clin Nurs 2022;11; doi:10.1111/JOCN.16218 Implications for practice and research Differences between age, gender and clinical experience should be further explored in relation to alertness and overtime. Organisations should be aware of the risks to patient care when relying on overtime to cover staff shortages. Context Nurses are typically scheduled to work long rotating shifts and routinely incorporate overtime to allow hospitals to provide round-the-clock care to patients. This can exacerbate fatigue diminishing productivity and making nurses more prone to errors.1 Recent studies highlighted the association between nurses’ overtime and poor patient outcomes with a call for further research required.2 When studying the impact of overtime on alertness in rotating shifts, Min et al employed an ecological...

Source: Evidence-Based Nursing - September 21, 2022 Category: Nursing Authors: Sorice, V., Spackman, J. Tags: Nursing issues Commentary Source Type: research