A study examining the impact of 12-hour shifts on critical care staff.
BACKGROUND
Twelve-hour shifts contribute to flexible patterns of work, but the effects on delivery of direct care and staff fatigue are important topics for deeper examination.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact and implications of 12-hour shifts on critical care staff.


METHODS
A staged dual approach using two focus groups (n = 16) and questionnaires (n = 147) with critical care staff from three critical care units.


RESULTS
Positive effects were found with planning and prioritizing care, improved relationships with patients/relatives, good-quality time off work and ease of travelling to work. Less favourable effects were with caring for patients in isolation cubicles and the impact on staff motivation and tiredness. Acceptable patterns of work were suggested for 'numbers of consecutive shifts' and 'rest periods between shifts'.


CONCLUSIONS
Most participants believed 12-hour shifts should continue. The challenge is to ensure existing systems and practices develop to improve on the less positive effects of working 12-hour shifts.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides nurse managers with important and relevant staff views on the impact of working 12-hour shifts. In particular to those working within a critical care environment and suggests the challenge is to ensure existing systems and practices develop to improve on the less encouraging effects of working 12-hour shifts. It adds an understanding of the senior nurse's view on the positive and negative effects of managing and organizing staff off duty to safely run a department with 12-hour shifts.
Richardson
Annette
A
Critical Care, The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. annette.richardson@nuth.nhs.uk
Turnock
Christopher
C
Harris
Liz
L
Finley
Alison
A
Carson
Sarah
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000209:etiology; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003422:Critical Care; D004739:England; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009013:Morale; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000523:psychology; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology