title: Is it time to pull the plug on 12-hour shifts? Part 3. harm reduction strategies if keeping 12-hour shifts.
abstract: This article is part 3 of the series "Pulling the Plug on 12-Hour Shifts." In part 1 (March 2010), the authors provided an update on recent evidence that challenges the current scheduling paradigm and supports the lack of safety of long work hours. Part 2 (April 2010) described the barriers to change and challenges for the nurse executive in moving away from the practice of 12-hour shifts. This article presents strategies for mitigating the effects of 12-hour shifts for nurses who continue to work 12-hour shifts despite the potential risks to their health and to patient safety.
authors.affiliation: Work and Health Research Center, Department of Family and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, USA. jgeiger@son.umaryland.edu
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geiger-Brown
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Trinkoff
mesh_terms: D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D009551:Night Care; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013997:Time Factors; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload