Consecutive nursing shifts and the risk of hypoglycemia in critically ill patients who are receiving intravenous insulin: a multicenter study.

Study Objectives: Intensive care unit nurses commonly work multiple consecutive 12-hour shifts that leave little time for sleep between work shifts. Working multiple consecutive shifts could compromise vigilance and patient care, especially with respect to managing high-risk medications such as insulin infusions. We hypothesized that as the number of consecutive shifts worked by nurses increases, the rate of hypoglycemia in patients who are receiving an insulin infusion would also increase.

Impact of work schedules on sleep duration of critical care nurses.

Background: Sleep deprivation leads to reduced vigilance and potentially impairs work performance. Nurses may work long shifts that may contribute to sleep deprivation.

Objective: To assess how nurses' sleep patterns are affected by work schedules and other factors.