Safety for Patients During Night Shifts

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Summary
Reflection
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

Chang, Chen, Wu, Hsu, Liu and Hsu (2014) conducted a study to highlight the adverse effects of night shifts for nurses in health care facilities. The study develops an understanding of the sentiments of nurses on night shifts. Workflow in healthcare facilities is normally handled by nurses through shifts that keep changing for individual nurses throughout the week. The effects of this strategy in task management among nurses have led to worries that the night shift affects health and competence levels for nurses. This issue translates to lower safety for patients, especially those in critical care units. The study challenges the current approach to managing nurses in health care facilities. This paper provides a summary of the research article and a critical reflection of the issues.

Summary

Chang et al. begin by acknowledging that recurrent night shifts result in impaired psychological and physiological wellbeing of nurses, which result in lower cognitive performance during night shifts. The article reveals that rotating shifts are blamed for increasing risks at work, and they are the leading cause of accidents and injury for both patients and nurses. “…rotating night shifts too quickly may cause anxiety and decreased attentional performance,…” Chang et al., 2014, p. 13). Shift work in the health care system is a necessity because patients require nursing services on a 24-hour basis. However, it is apparent that shift work has a negative effect on some nurses, and it translates to lower abilities to function, as well as adverse impacts on nurses’ health. A critical view on the study reveals that nurses working in acute care units are worst affected by night shifts because they work in very stressful environments, and they are charged with handling sophisticated technology. The probability of nurses compromising the safety of patients in acute care units is very high if they are delegated recurring night shifts. The nurses involved in the study indicated that night shifts are very long, and the nurse-patient ratio is always low at night (Chang et al., 2014). The majority of the participants revealed that their health was compromised by the night shift because of poor sleeping patterns resulting in anxiety, depression, and low cognitive performance. The authors concluded that night shifts influence both psychological and physiological risks for nurses and this compromises the safety of patients, especially in the acute care units.

Reflection

The research article focuses on the health and competence levels of nurses working on night shifts. The International Labor Office is charged with developing provisions that ensure that employees work in safe environments (Chang et al., 2014). Following the study conducted by Chang et al. (2014), it is apparent that night shifts are not only hazardous to nurses, but they are also risky for patients in the specialized units. Nurses have the obligation to provide care to patients, but working for 10 hours on the night shift is a hectic activity. Many people in the nursing profession have quit their jobs because of being placed in recurrent night shifts. One of them claimed that the lack of sleep and fatigue would affect her mood, and she was unable to uphold the emotional labor associated with the profession.

Conclusion

The research report in the article raises an important issue in the nursing profession. Managing the workflow and the available human assets should be approached in a manner that enhances safety for nurses and patients. While night shifts must prevail in nursing, the nurse-patient ratio should be increased at night, and rotating shifts should be reviewed.

Reference

Chang, Y., Chen, H., Wu, Y, Hsu, C., Liu, C., & Hsu, C. (2014). Rotating night shifts too quickly may cause anxiety and decreased attentional performance, and impact prolactin levels during the subsequent day: a case control. BMC Psychiatry, 14(218), 1-22.

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Safety for Patients During Night Shifts

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