Health and performance factors in health care shift workers

J Occup Environ Med. 2004 Dec;46(12):1278-81.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the impact of shift work on health care workers.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study assessed health and performance markers of 188 day and night shift nonphysician health care workers.

Results: Night-shift workers were more likely to report difficulty with routine orders, lower energy levels, unpredictable work schedules, and sleep disturbance but no difference with injuries or motor vehicle crashes. A classification of day shift, night shift without unpredictable schedule or sleep problems, and night shift with unpredictable schedule or sleep problems revealed a trend of increased difficulty with routine orders, suggesting a "dose response effect."

Conclusions: Findings suggest an association with night shift health care workers and adverse health and performance markers. A "higher-risk" subgroup may benefit from targeted interventions to reduce potential adverse effects from shift work and improve health care delivery.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Status Indicators*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Midwestern United States / epidemiology
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / epidemiology*
  • Task Performance and Analysis*
  • Work Schedule Tolerance*