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Wake-up call: night shifts adversely affect nurse health and retention, patient and public safety, and costs.
September 20, 2023
Imes CC, Tucker SJ, Trinkoff AM, et al. Nurs Adm Q. 2023;47(4):E38-E53.
Extended and overnight shifts are associated with higher adverse event rates and burnout. This mini review summarizes the impact of overnight shifts on nurses' health, patient and public safety, and organizational costs (e.g., those related to nurse turnover). Organizational strategies to promote nurses' health and reduce errors are also summarized, ranging from low-cost measures such as breaks for physical activity during the shift to high-cost measures such as referral to sleep specialists or paid transportation home.
