Risks posed by nurses' working hours in the intensive care unit: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Nurses in intensive care units (ICUs) face prolonged shifts, causing physical and mental strain.
• This strain can compromise nurse well-being and patient care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between ICU nurses' working hours and outcomes.
• Outcomes include risk identification, nurse well-being, patient safety, and institutional performance.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
• Searched Scopus, Medline/PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar (2014-2024).
• Included peer-reviewed studies in English or Turkish on adult ICU nurses, analyzing risks associated with working hours.

Main Results:

• 16 studies met inclusion criteria from 902 identified articles.
• Extended working hours in ICUs are linked to significant risks.
• Identified risks include sleep disturbances, increased burnout, and medication errors.

Conclusions:

• Long working hours in ICUs pose risks to nurses (sleep disturbances, burnout) and patients (medication errors).
• Findings emphasize the need for improved scheduling and working conditions.
• Healthcare organizations should use findings to foster healthy work environments and enhance patient safety.