Effect on Patient Safety of a Resident Physician Schedule without 24-Hour Shifts.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The effects on patient safety of eliminating extended-duration work shifts for resident physicians remain controversial.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter, cluster-randomized, crossover trial comparing two schedules for pediatric resident physicians during their intensive care unit (ICU) rotations: extended-duration work schedules that included shifts of 24 hours or more (control schedules) and schedules that eliminated extended shifts and cycled resident physicians through day and night shifts of 16 hours or less (intervention schedules). The primary outcome was serious medical errors made by resident physicians, assessed by intensive surveillance, including direct observation and chart review.

Results

The characteristics of ICU patients during the two wo

SUBMITTER: Landrigan CP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7405505 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature