Night shift workers in hospitals can improve their performance if they get just 20 minutes of sleep, which is essential for patient safety, a recent survey has found. On the other hand, it has been suggested that doctors and nurses should not be allowed to be on duty for three nights in a row.
Because it affects their health and concentration which inevitably affects the care and life of the patients and themselves. The staff couldn't have done a better job either. Dr. Nancy Redfern, from Newcastle Hospital in the UK, says that fatigue and sleepiness of doctors and nurses can be life-threatening for patients.
If night shift nurses and other doctors are allowed 20 minutes of sleep in the form of a power nap, they can work more attentively and drive home better.
This research has been presented at a conference held in Milan, Italy. It also presents the experiences of half of the doctors, specialists, nurses, and trainees affiliated with the Royal College of Anesthetists as evidence.
All of the participants reported that they had a major or minor accident on their way home after being awake for 20 consecutive hours, or that they had narrowly escaped an accident. Thus, their body clock speed was at its lowest point, which has the same effect as post-drowsy intoxication.
Alarmingly, when already awake nurses and doctors return home after a 12-hour shift, their ride accident rate doubles. In addition, if the medical staff is deprived of sleep for 16 to 18 hours, the ability to listen to the patients and know their condition may be gradually affected. This is the reason why experts have emphasized better sleep for medical personnel ie nurses and doctors.
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