The Joint Commission has issued a new Sentinel Event Alert (pdf) urging organizations to pay greater attention to preventing healthcare worker fatigue.
The Joint Commission reported in 2007 that nursing working more than 12-hour shifts and residents working recurrent 24-hour shifts were involved in three times more fatigue-related preventable adverse events. Staff members working long hours also face greater risk of injuring themselves.
The Joint Commission recommends all organizations follow nine evidence-based actions, which can be found by clicking here.
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"Healthcare is a round-the-clock job, and safety has to be the priority," said Mark R. Chassin, MD, FACP, MPP, MPH, president of The Joint Commission, in a news release. "The recommendations in this Alert give healthcare organizations the strategies to help mitigate the risks of fatigue that result from extended work hours — and, thereby, reduce the likelihood that fatigue will contribute to preventable patient harm."
Learn more about The Joint Commission.
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