Sentinel Event Alert 48

Health care worker fatigue and patient safety

Many studies have shown a direct correlation between adverse events and health care worker fatigue, much of which is attributed to the practice of extended work hours. Worker fatigue not only increases the risk of adverse events, but also compromises patient and personal safety.

This Sentinel Event Alert urges greater attention to preventing fatigue among health care workers and suggests specific actions for health care organizations to mitigate the risks.

Read the full version of the Sentinel Event Alert 48>>

Joint Commission Resources has the following tools to help educate your organization on this very important topic:

Free Articles:

• Effects of Health Care Provider Work Hours and Sleep Deprivation on Safety and Performance
• Long Shifts, Lack of Sleep Fatigue Health Care Workers: Changing Attitudes About Rest and Reasonable Work Schedules
  

Receive more informative articles like these by subscribing to the monthly periodicals The Source and The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety. 

Book/e-Book:

• Strategies for Addressing Health Care Worker Fatigue