Effect of shift work in intensive care on attention disorder in nurses

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of attention between shifts and to make recommendations about the regulation of shifts.

The researchers applied the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Stroop color word interaction test (SCWI) in 72 intensive care workers working in different shifts.

The study included a total of 72 participants, including 30 (43.3%) females and 42 (58.3%) males. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in the sub-items of the HAM-D and SCWI test (Table 3). There was a significant elongation in the night-shift employees at all times within the SCWI sub-items. A significant height in the number of errors and corrections in the cards applied in the continuation of the test was also determined in the night-shift group.

This study revealed a significant decrease in the level of attention in the night-shift compared with the day-shift. This increase in attention deficit may also be a preventable cause of increased mortality in the night-shift.