Addressing Occupational Fatigue in Nurses: Current State of Fatigue Risk Management in Hospitals, Part 1

The aim of this study was to describe the current state of fatigue risk management systems (FRMS) to address nurse fatigue in hospitals.

Although multiple studies have examined sources and consequences of fatigue, little is known about the current state of FRMS.

This study used a sequential exploratory mixed-method design including a survey of nurse leaders from across the United States.

Although healthcare organizations have implemented strategies to address fatigue, most participants' organizations did not have a formal FRMS in place. Monitoring individual nurses' levels of fatigue and using tools to predict fatigue risk were rare.

Significant opportunities exist to implement formal FRMS in healthcare. Nursing leaders, in partnership with other organizational leaders, should develop a formal plan to monitor fatigue and implement multiple levels of interventions to prevent fatigue and mitigate its consequences.