A work systems analysis approach to understanding fatigue in hospital nurses

Linsey M. Steege, Kalyan S. Pasupathy, Diane A. Drake

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Occupational fatigue is an important challenge in improving health and safety in health care systems. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from a survey sample comprised 340 hospital nurses was conducted to explore the relationships between components of the nursing work system (person, tasks, tools and technology, environment, organisation) and nurse fatigue and recovery levels. All components of the work system were significantly associated with changes in fatigue and recovery. Results of a tree-based classification method indicated significant interactions between multiple work system components and fatigue and recovery. For example, the relationship between a task variable of ‘excessive work’ and acute fatigue varied based on an organisation variable related to ‘time to communicate with managers/supervisors’. A work systems analysis contributes to increased understanding of fatigue, allowing for a more accurate representation of the complexity in health care systems to guide future research and practice to achieve increased nurse health and safety. Practitioner Summary: This paper explored the relationships between nursing work system components and nurse fatigue. Findings revealed significant interactions between work system components and nurses’ fatigue and recovery. A systems approach allows for a more accurate representation of complexity in work systems and can guide interventions to improve nurse health and safety.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)148-161
Number of pages14
JournalErgonomics
Volume61
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2 2018

Keywords

  • Macroergonomics
  • fatigue
  • hospital nurses
  • occupational health
  • safety

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human Factors and Ergonomics
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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