Fatigued RNs Worry About Drowsy Driving
In a national online survey conducted by the American Society of Registered Nurses (ASRN), 32 percent of the RNs surveyed said they were too fatigued after work to be driving and "shouldn't be on the road."
"Nurses who work at night are four more times likely to experience a drowsy-driving episode," said Linda Scott, director of Grand Valley State University's nursing program. "In addition, the risk of crashes almost doubles for drivers working night shifts that exceed 12.5 hours in length."
According to ASRN, there are two main causes of drowsy driving:
1) Sleep restriction. Persons getting less than the recommended seven-to-eight hours of sleep each night are more likely to feel tired the following day, which can ultimately affect their cognizance behind the wheel. Not getting enough sleep on a consistent basis can create "sleep debt" and lead to chronic sleepiness over time.
While some factors, including working at a job that requires long hours and familial responsibilities, are beyond a person's control, other reasons for sleep restriction represent lifestyle choices. This includes sleeping less to have more time to work, study, socialize or participate in other activities.
2) Sleep fragmentation, which causes an inadequate amount of sleep and can negatively affect a person's functioning during the daytime. Sleep fragmentation can have internal and external causes. The primary internal cause is sickness, including untreated sleep disorders. External factors that can prevent a person's ability to have a full, refreshing night of sleep include noise, children, bright lights and a restless bed partner.
Eight to nine hours of sleep is optimal and sufficient sleep benefits alertness, memory and problem-solving, and overall health, the ASRN report noted. Sufficient sleep also reduces the risk of accidents, according to the National Sleep Foundation. A 2003 study performed at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine demonstrated that cognitive performance declines with fewer than eight hours of sleep.
For nurses who work mandatory overtime, double shifts or simply do not get off until after midnight or sometimes morning, it is nearly impossible to ensure seven to eight hours of sleep.
Nationwide, drowsy driving is the direct cause of approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually, resulting in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
So how can nurses avoid drowsy driving? Post your comments here, or visit the HIT Insider Forum for a list of suggestions and further discussion.