A work systems analysis approach to understanding fatigue in hospital nurses.
Prior research shows that nurse fatigue contributes to medical error, placing patient safety at risk. Investigators performed a secondary analysis of survey data from 340 inpatient nurses to determine how different aspects of the work system—person, tasks, environment, organization, and tools and technology—affect nurse fatigue and recovery. They conclude that a work systems approach leads to a better understanding of occupational fatigue and carries important implications for improving safety.