Identifying and managing fatigue in nurses completing on-call work.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Specialist nurses in Therapeutic Apheresis Services (TAS) participate in on-call rotas, often exceeding standard working hours.
• Extended work periods, potentially up to 24 hours, pose a significant risk of fatigue.
• Fatigue in healthcare professionals can impact patient safety and staff well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and impact of fatigue among TAS nurses.
• To identify effective strategies for recognizing and managing fatigue in this specific clinical setting.
• To inform the development of evidence-based fatigue management protocols.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature review was conducted on fatigue management across various industries.
• Internal data from TAS, including exit interviews and sickness records, were analyzed.
• A Fatigue Identification Questionnaire was developed and administered to nurses during on-call shifts.

Main Results:

• A strong correlation was identified between extended working hours and increased nurse fatigue.
• The literature review provided insights into successful fatigue mitigation strategies in other demanding professions.
• Internal data highlighted specific challenges and patterns related to on-call fatigue within TAS.

Conclusions:

• Implementing robust fatigue-management processes is essential for TAS nurses.
• Further research and intervention are recommended to address the identified risks.
• Proactive management of fatigue can enhance the safety and sustainability of the TAS workforce.