Intervention in shift scheduling and changes in biomarkers of heart disease in hospital wards

The effect of introducing regularity, few consecutive night shifts, more weekends off, and only 2 different types of shifts (day-evening or day-night) into shift scheduling on biomarkers of heart disease was studied.

Ergonomic shift criteria were introduced in a quasi-experimental controlled intervention in 4 hospital wards. Six wards participated as controls. Altogether 101 nurses and nurses' aides were followed for 6 months with measurements of cholesterol and triglycerides. The intervention led to more regular schedules and more staff having 2 shifts in 2 of the intervention wards 1 year after the intervention. The schedules among the controls became less regular and less predictable. The number of consecutive night shifts remained unchanged.

After 6 months the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level had increased in the intervention group, and the total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and the total:HDL cholesterol ratio had decreased. Regardless of the intervention, changes in regularity were associated with the triglyceride and HDL cholesterol levels and also with the total:HDL cholesterol ratio. More ergonomic changes were associated with lower LDL cholesterol levels, a lower total:HDL cholesterol ratio, and higher HDL cholesterol levels.

Increased ergonomic scheduling was possible. Lipids and lipoproteins changed as predicted, both when the changes were assessed in respect to the changes in schedules that resulted from the intervention and the changes that occurred regardless of the intervention. The study suggests that scheduling based on ergonomic criteria is a possible means for reducing the risk of heart disease among shift workers.