A mid concerns about the impact of fatigue on medical errors, the governing body of medical education sought to make sure the least experienced medical residents get the most sleep. But a new survey indicates that other residents and program supervisors believe the rules are just creating problems for other residents without improving medical education.
An emerging SARS-like novel coronavirus may pose a particular threat for hospital outbreaks that could spread infections to both patients and health care workers.
Half of all health care workers who work the night shift get less than six hours of sleep a day. They drink caffeine to stay alert, but many still struggle to keep from involuntarily dozing. And one in four night shift nurses resort to staying awake for at least 24 hours to adjust to changing schedules.
A shortage of a major TB skin-testing product forced some hospitals to alter their health care worker screening programs, but it also demonstrated the ability of employee health departments to adapt to change circumstances.
