Improving compliance with requirements on junior doctors' hours.

ABSTRACT:

Problem

Compliance with UK regulations on junior doctors' working hours cannot be achieved by manipulating rotas that maintain existing tiers of cover and work practices. More radical solutions are needed.

Design

Audit of change.

Setting

Paediatric night rota in large children's hospital.

Key measures for improvement

Compliance with regulations on working hours assessed by diary cards; workload assessed by staff attendance on wards; patient safety assessed through critical incident reports.

Strategies for change

Development of new staff roles, followed by change from a partial shift rota comprising 11 doctors and one senior nurse, to a full shift night team comprising three middle grade doctors and two senior nurses.

Effects of change

Compliance w

SUBMITTER: Cass HD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1126659 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature