By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Dangerous 18 Hours Shifts in Nursing Homes
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Geriatrics > Dangerous 18 Hours Shifts in Nursing Homes
GeriatricsHospital AdministrationPolicy & Law

Dangerous 18 Hours Shifts in Nursing Homes

docnieder
docnieder
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE

A nurse friend of my husband’s was recently let go from a Kentucky nursing home for medication mistakes made while working two back-to-back, weekend, eighteen-hour shifts. I didn’t believe that was possible under labor laws but I can find no maximum labor law covering how long people can be asked to work.

A nurse friend of my husband’s was recently let go from a Kentucky nursing home for medication mistakes made while working two back-to-back, weekend, eighteen-hour shifts. I didn’t believe that was possible under labor laws but I can find no maximum labor law covering how long people can be asked to work.

I’d be curious to know if this is a common practice in other places. I found this document, put out by the  Department of Health and Human services, that described nursing homes using 16 hours shifts as non-traditional, flexible hours for employees. By the time you add in breaks and lunch, I assume this is the same scheduling my husband’s friend was talking about working. There is no suggestion in this document that these hours might be dangerous to patient health. There are well documented studies illustrating the increasing errors that occur when nurses work more than 12 hour shifts[1].

Even if an individual conscientiously gets enough sleep prior to one 16-18 hour shift, there is not sufficient time to sleep enough when shifts are back-to-back on a weekend. The nurse described here found her abilities slipping, particularly as she entered the end of the second shift.

More Read

7 Technological Innovations For People Living With Dementia
A Go Live of EPIC Proportions
Financially Protecting Your Family against Serious Genetic Disorders
A Humble Opinion: Book Review
Losing a Loved One Due to Medical Malpractice: All You Need to Know

This kind of care is unconscionable and has no place in the care of our elderly population.

1. Roger,Ann. The Effects of Fatigue and Sleepiness on Nurse Performance and Patient Safety. 2008, Apr.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2645/

TAGGED:nursesnursing homes
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025
Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Why iPad EMRs are Better for Doctor Patient Interaction

April 11, 2016

It’s Back to Basics in Nursing Homes in Treating Disease

November 9, 2011
Image
Health ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

Arkansas Deal with HHS on Medicaid Expansion May Make Everyone Better Off

March 2, 2013

2015 Trends for Rural Hospitals and Rural Healthcare

August 18, 2015
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?