TYPES OF PAPER 2.6 Posters Example of a poster abstract Title: The impact of 12 hour shifts on quality of patient care Conference track: Impact Background and rationale The introduction of long nursing shifts of 12 or more hours remains controversial. While there are claims of efficiency and staff preferences for long shifts, studies have shown long shifts to be associated with adverse effects on quality of care. A key claim for the efficiency of the 12h shift system is the reduction of overlaps between shifts on the basis that these overlaps are unproductive and dangerous. However, there are potentially valuable information and communication activities that occur during these overlap periods. Aims and objectives To determine the association between nurses’ ≥12-h shifts and presence of continuing educational programmes; ability to discuss patient care with other nurses; tasks that foster continuity of care; and patient care information being lost during handovers. Design Cross-sectional survey of 31,627 registered nurses within 487 hospitals in 12 European countries. Methods The associations were measured through generalised linear mixed models. Results Nurses working shifts of ≥12-h were less likely than nurses working shorter hours (≤8) to have continuing educational programmes; and to have time to discuss patient care with other nurses. Nurses working shifts of ≥12 h were less likely to report assignments that foster continuity of care, albeit the association was not statistically significant. Similarly, working long shifts was associated with patient care information being lost during handovers, although the association was not statistically significant. Organised by 1 Conclusion The reduction in handovers and overlaps between shifts is associated with reduced educational activities and fewer opportunities to discuss patient care, with no evidence of benefits for patients. Reduced opportunity to discuss care or participate in educational activities may reduce the quality and safety of care for patients. Presenter Dr Emily Pankhurst, Research Associate, University of Exmouth, USA. Organised by 2
