Extended-duration hospital shifts, medical errors and patient mortality

Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2014 Feb;75(2):96-101. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2014.75.2.96.

Abstract

A meta-analysis was undertaken to study the association between extended medical shifts and consequences for patients. In six studies, the meta odds ratio was increased for mortality and for serious medical errors, but not for preventable medical errors and for physicians who slept >6 hours.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Hospital Mortality*
  • Humans
  • Internship and Residency / statistics & numerical data
  • Medical Errors / statistics & numerical data*
  • Medical Staff, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sleep
  • Time Factors
  • Work Schedule Tolerance
  • Workload