Caregiver fatigue: Implications for patient and staff safety, part 2

Cheryl A. Smith-Miller, University of North Florida
Jacqueline Harden, Inpatient Heart and Vascular Services
Christa W. Seaman, Emergency Services
Yin Li, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ann Scott Blouin, The Joint Commission

Abstract

Fatigue negatively affects healthcare workers' health and well-being, decreases patient safety, and negatively impacts the work environment. Although individual lifestyle choices influence fatigue levels, much responsibility lies with nursing administrators to prevent situations that may result in sleep deprivation or overwork. This article, the 2nd in a 2-part series, describes the results that were achieved from a fatigue reduction intervention.