Effects of resident shift length, protected sleep time and night float on patient care and residents’ health

Citation

(2011), "Effects of resident shift length, protected sleep time and night float on patient care and residents’ health", Clinical Governance: An International Journal, Vol. 16 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/cgij.2011.24816bae.006

Effects of resident shift length, protected sleep time and night float on patient care and residents’ health

Article Type: Reviews of effectiveness From: Clinical Governance: An International Journal, Volume 16, Issue 2

Reed, D.A., Fletcher, K.E. and Arora, V.M.,Systematic review: association of shift length, protected sleep time, and night float with patient care, residents’ health, and education,Annals of Internal Medicine,2010,Vol. 153,pp. 829-842

This review assessed the effects of resident shift length, protected sleep time and night float on patient care and residents’ health and education and concluded that most studies supported reducing shift length, but did not identify an optimal duration; further research was needed. The evidence was limited, but the authors’ conclusions appeared to reflect this and seemed appropriate.