Fatigue Impacting Patient Safety: Literature Review and Local Perceptions
Abstract
Physicians and nurses must make split-second, critical decisions that often have life or death implications for the patient and the provider. Dr. Sophy Wong recalls the following: "A third-year Brown medical student, working at the hospital for 26 hours straight, I was paged to assist in an emergency cesarean section. I started to nod off, still holding the retractor. The next thing I remember was water hitting my chest and face. I opened my eyes to see a woman on an operating table and a blue troll-like creature emerging from her abdomen. I screamed. A barrage of curse words escaped from the attending surgeon's mouth, reminding me of exactly where I was. Still, they didn't dismiss me." While this particular event did not cause harm to the patient, work exhaustion can be dangerous.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 07, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA499202
Entities
People
- Shannon Grant
Organizations
- Marine Corps University