Scientific research confirms that fatigue resulting from shift work and extended hours can degrade patient care and increase the risk of clinical error, workplace injuries to nurses, and drowsy driving accidents, as well as increasing nursing turnover and health care costs. Shift work, and particularly night work, can also have long-term negative effects on nurses’ health.
The Health and Safety at Work Act (2015) identifies fatigue as a cause of hazards and WorkSafe guidance identifies shift work as a cause of fatigue.
To help DHBs and nurses to meet their obligations to manage workplace fatigue, the HRC-funded Safer Nursing 24/7 project (HRC 16-133) is developing and implementing a new approach that incorporates sector knowledge and experience with the latest fatigue science and international best practice in managing fatigue and shift work. A key output from the Safer Nursing 24/7 project is the National Code of Practice for Managing Fatigue and Shift Work in Hospital-Based Nursing.
NZNO seeks your feedback on the attached draft National Code.
Send feedback to jinny.willis@nzno.org.nz by 31st January 2019