A comparison of a 12-hour and eight-hour shift system in similar medical wards

Abstract

Despite the increasing use of and discussion about 12-hour shifts, little work has been carried out in the United Kingdom to assess its impact. A study was carried out to compare two medical wards which had been operating a 12-hour shift for more than one year with two medical wards which had carried on with a conventional shift system over the same period of time. Staff questionnaires, interviews, patient interviews, documentation review, and analysis of a number of organizational issues were undertaken to evaluate the effect of the shift pattern worked. Viewing this shift pattern from a variety of perspectives indicates that there were no significant differences between the shift patterns with regard to staff perception, patient perception, documentation and organisational issues. However, some aspects of the 12-hour shift produced more favourable responses from the staff: less fatigue was reported by those working the 12-hour shift and documentation was more complete on these wards. However, the length of time available for the handover was identified as a problematic area. Staff surveyed had chosen to work these hours which may positively have influenced the impact of this shift pattern on both staff and patients. This work demonstrates the complexities in evaluating patterns of work in providing patient care over 24 hours.