Do Shorter Resident Shifts Reduce Medical Errors in Pediatric ICUs?

This multicenter randomized study found that residents made more errors when they worked shifts of 16 hours or less than when they worked shifts of 24 hours or more.

In an effort to reduce medical errors, duration of resident work shifts has been a focus of regulation, despite controversy over its effectiveness. In a randomized crossover study at six pediatric intensive care units, researchers compared rates of serious medical errors (defined as preventable errors that caused or had the potential to cause patient harm) during two resident work schedules: one that included shifts of ≥24 hours (control) and one that cycled day and night shifts of ≤16 hours (intervention). The analysis included 410 rotations completed by 333 second-year and above pediatric residents.

During the intervention schedule, residents on average worked 6 hours less per week (mean, 62 vs. 68 hours) and slept 6.4 hours more. Patient …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Do Shorter Resident Shifts Reduce Medical Errors in Pediatric ICUs?

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Reviewing Author