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Examining the impact of 12-hour day and night shifts on nurses’ fatigue: A prospective cohort study
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Examining the impact of 12-hour day and night shifts on nurses’ fatigue: A prospective cohort study

Roberto M Benzo, Amany Farag, Kara M Whitaker, Qian Xiao and Lucas J Carr
International journal of nursing studies advances, Vol.4, p.100076
12/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnsa.2022.100076
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2022.100076View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Background: Fatigue is prevalent among hospital nurses and has been linked to medical errors and decreased patient safety. However, little is known regarding the relationship between occupational physical activity, sedentary behavior, and fatigue. Objective: To assess the impact of 12-hour shifts on nurses’ fatigue and its relationship to occupational physical activity and sedentary behavior. Design: Prospective-cohort study design Setting(s): Midwestern trauma one academic medical center Participants: A total of 80 registered nurses working 12-hour day and night shifts participated in this study and completed momentary measures of fatigue (texting, aim one). Only 52 participants were included in aim two analyses (included activity monitoring, aim two). Methods: Occupational patterns of momentary fatigue was measured via ecological momentary assessments. Occupational physical activity and sedentary behaviors (e.g., step count, time spent sitting, standing, and walking) were measured for 14 continuous days using the ActivPAL3 micro activity monitor. Mixed models were used to examine the effects of shift type and time within a shift on occupational fatigue. General estimation equations were used to examine the relationship between time spent sitting, standing, and walking on fatigue. Results: Regardless of shift type, nurses exhibited a significant rise in fatigue; however, the rise was greater during night shifts compared to day shifts. Walking was positively associated with fatigue during day shifts, and negatively associated with fatigue during night shifts. Conclusions: The rise in fatigue was greater among nurses working night shifts compared to day shifts, which could place them at greater risk for fatigue-related consequences. The relationship between walking and fatigue was moderated by shift-type. Tweetable abstract: Nursing fatigue rises during 12-hour shifts, but the rise is greater for those working night shifts @DrRobertoBenzo
Exercise Accelerometry Ecological momentary assessments Fatigue Nurses Occupational health nursing Sedentary behavior Shift work schedule

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