Night shift preparation, performance, and perception: are there differences between emergency medicine nurses, residents, and faculty?.
- Author:
John R RICHARDS
1
;
Taylor L STAYTON
;
Jason A WELLS
;
Aman K PARIKH
;
Erik G LAURIN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Shift work schedule; Emergency medicine; Emergency nursing; Sleep wake disorders; Sleep aids, pharmaceutical
- MeSH: Academic Medical Centers; Accidental Falls; Alcoholism; Coffee; Emergencies*; Emergency Medicine*; Emergency Nursing; Emergency Service, Hospital; Internship and Residency; Meals; Melatonin; Sleep Aids, Pharmaceutical; Sleep Wake Disorders
- From: Clinical and Experimental Emergency Medicine 2018;5(4):240-248
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Determine differences between faculty, residents, and nurses regarding night shift preparation, performance, recovery, and perception of emotional and physical health effects. METHODS: Survey study performed at an urban university medical center emergency department with an accredited residency program in emergency medicine. RESULTS: Forty-seven faculty, 37 residents, and 90 nurses completed the survey. There was no difference in use of physical sleep aids between groups, except nurses utilized blackout curtains more (69%) than residents (60%) and faculty (45%). Bedroom temperature preference was similar. The routine use of pharmacologic sleep aids differed: nurses and residents (both 38%) compared to faculty (13%). Residents routinely used melatonin more (79%) than did faculty (33%) and nurses (38%). Faculty preferred not to eat (45%), whereas residents (24%) preferred a full meal. The majority (>72%) in all groups drank coffee before their night shift and reported feeling tired despite their routine, with 4:00 a.m. as median nadir. Faculty reported a higher rate (41%) of falling asleep while driving compared to residents (14%) and nurses (32%), but the accident rate (3% to 6%) did not differ significantly. All had similar opinions regarding night shift-associated health effects. However, faculty reported lower level of satisfaction working night shifts, whereas nurses agreed less than the other groups regarding increased risk of drug and alcohol dependence. CONCLUSION: Faculty, residents, and nurses shared many characteristics. Faculty tended to not use pharmacologic sleep aids, not eat before their shift, fall asleep at a higher rate while driving home, and enjoy night shift work less.
