Peri-operative night-time work of anaesthesiologists: A qualitative study of critical issues and proposals
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
02650215
eISSN
13652346
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85179022914
Pubmed ID
37972930
Journal Title
European Journal of Anaesthesiology
Volume
41
Issue
1
Start Page
34
End Page
42
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
European Journal of Anaesthesiology Vol.41 No.1 (2024) , 34-42
Suggested Citation
Ippolito M., Noto A., Lakbar I., Chalkias A., Afshari A., Kranke P., Garcia C.S.R., Myatra S.N., Schultz M.J., Giarratano A., Bilotta F., De Robertis E., Einav S., Cortegiani A. Peri-operative night-time work of anaesthesiologists: A qualitative study of critical issues and proposals. European Journal of Anaesthesiology Vol.41 No.1 (2024) , 34-42. 42. doi:10.1097/EJA.0000000000001930 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/91574
Title
Peri-operative night-time work of anaesthesiologists: A qualitative study of critical issues and proposals
Author's Affiliation
Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Paolo Giaccone
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Physiologie et Médecine Expérimentale du Cœur et des Muscles
Universitätsklinikum Würzburg
Sapienza Università di Roma
Københavns Universitet
Faculty of Medicine
Tata Memorial Hospital
Università degli Studi di Palermo
Hospital General Universitario de Valencia
Università degli Studi di Messina, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia
Nuffield Department of Medicine
Rigshospitalet
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Università degli Studi di Perugia
Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam
Outcomes Research Consortium
Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit
Physiologie et Médecine Expérimentale du Cœur et des Muscles
Universitätsklinikum Würzburg
Sapienza Università di Roma
Københavns Universitet
Faculty of Medicine
Tata Memorial Hospital
Università degli Studi di Palermo
Hospital General Universitario de Valencia
Università degli Studi di Messina, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia
Nuffield Department of Medicine
Rigshospitalet
University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Università degli Studi di Perugia
Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam
Outcomes Research Consortium
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
BACKGROUNDQualitative data on the opinions of anaesthesiologists regarding the impact of peri-operative night-time working conditions on patient safety are lacking.OBJECTIVE(S)This study aimed to achieve in-depth understanding of anaesthesiologists' perceptions regarding the impact of night-time working conditions on peri-operative patient safety and actions that may be undertaken to mitigate perceived risks.DESIGNQualitative analysis of responses to two open-ended questions.SETTINGOnline platform questionnaire promoted by the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC).PARTICIPANTSThe survey sample consisted of an international cohort of anaesthesiologists.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESWe identified and classified recurrent themes in the responses to questions addressing perceptions regarding (Q1) peri-operative night-time working conditions, which may affect patient safety and (Q2) potential solutions.RESULTSWe analysed 2112 and 2113 responses to Q1 and Q2, respectively. The most frequently reported themes in relation to Q1 were a perceived reduction in professional performance accompanied by concerns regarding the possible consequences of work with fatigue (27%), and poor working conditions at night-time (35%). The most frequently proposed solutions in response to Q2 were a reduction of working hours and avoidance of 24-h shifts (21%), an increase in human resources (14%) and performance of only urgent or emergency surgeries at night (14%).CONCLUSIONOverall, the surveyed anaesthesiologists believe that workload-to-staff imbalance and excessive working hours were potential bases for increased peri-operative risk for their patients, partly because of fatigue-related medical errors during night-time work. The performance of nonemergency elective surgical cases at night and lack of facilities were among the reported issues and potential targets for improvement measures. Further studies should investigate whether countermeasures can improve patient safety as well as the quality of life of anaesthesia professionals. Regulations to improve homogeneity, safety, and quality of anaesthesia practice at night seem to be urgently needed.