Medical Errors May Result from Shorter Shifts
March 21, 2016
Medical Malpractice in Bradenton
In 2011, regulators imposed new limits on the number of consecutive hours that medical residents were allowed to work without taking a break. While doctors in training were previously authorized to work up to 30-hour shifts, under the new regulations, the maximum shift length was reduced to 16 hours. This may still sound like a long time to most people, but there are important reasons why medical residents need to work these long hours.
These reasons came into the spotlight when two studies from the University of Michigan Medical School and Johns Hopkins University showed that the 2011 rule change was actually having the opposite of its intended effect.
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How Shorter Shifts Lead to a Greater Risk of Medical Malpractice
The stated purpose of reducing the length of medical residents’ shifts was to avoid medical errors caused by sleep deprivation and overworking. Unfortunately, the government’s mandatory reduction in shift lengths actually led to an increase of 15 to 20 percent in the number of medical errors. The studies from the University of Michigan Medical School and Johns Hopkins University point to three primary causes for this unexpected result.
Lack of Training and Supervision
As one of the most significant factors leading to the increase in medical errors, the studies pointed to a lack of training and supervision resulting from the regulatory change. Specifically, the studies noted:
- Teaching hospitals were not providing the training and supervision necessary to address the change in work schedules; and,
- As a result of working shorter shifts, residents were receiving less overall training and supervision.
Combined, the studies found that these factors contributed to an increased rate of medical negligence.
Increased Number of Patient Handoffs
Another key factor was the increase in the number of patient “handoffs” resulting from residents working shorter shifts. These handoffs – where one doctor takes over care from another – are a known risk factor for medical malpractice. As a result, by increasing the number of handoffs, the regulations also lead to an increased number of medical errors.
Heightened Stress and Increased Rate of Depression
The third key factor identified by the studies was an increase in the rates of stress and depression among doctors forced to work shorter shifts. Rather than lessening the burden on overworked medical residents, the studies found that many of them were simply being forced to do the same amount of work in a much smaller amount of time.
Have You Suffered Due to a Medical Error? Contact Jodat Law Group Today, Your Bradenton Medical Malpractice Lawyers.
If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of a misdiagnosis, medication error, or any other form of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At Jodat Law Group, we fight vigorously for patients and their families when medical errors cause them harm. To speak with an experienced Bradenton medical malpractice lawyer about your case, call the Florida law offices of Jodat Law Group at (877) Jodat Law or complete our simple contact form today. For Medical Malpractice, we have established relationships with other law firms that will represent you in these matters.
