The reality of emergency medicine is that night shifts are not going to disappear. Further, most hospitals are trying stay fiscally sound 24-7. The general population is working a less-traditional 9 am to 5 pm business schedule, leading more and more people to work nontraditional hours in the future. We will need to know how to treat this disorder not just for ourselves but also for our patients.
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ACEP Now: Vol 34 – No 03 – March 2015
Dr. van Leer is assistant program director of the emergency medicine residency program at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt in New York.
References
- Wang XS, Armstrong ME, Cairns BJ, et al. Shift work and chronic disease: the epidemiological evidence. Occup Med (Lond). 2011;61:78-89.
- Machi MS, Staum M, Callaway CW, et al. The relationship between shift work, sleep, and cognition in career emergency physicians. Acad Emerg Med. 2012;19:85-91.
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3 Responses to “Combat Sleep Disorders From Working Night Shifts”
April 12, 2015
Charles AkinAt what age do you begin less exposure to night shifts? Does it create tension among the other colleagues?
How do you begin a series of night shifts. Do you stay up late the night before? How many hours of sleep do you try to get the day of the first night of a series?
Do you take meds to sleep?
April 14, 2015
James SteenAt age 65, I have just completed my first month of all nights after doing mostly nights with a few days thrown in for the past two years. I plan on doing all nights until my retirement at age 67. I really love the night shifts. Better nurses, total independence with no administrative interference and sometimes I do get to sleep a little.
My strategy is similar to what you outline above.
1. Protect your sleep with a room that has no disturbances from any outside noise. No phones, doorbells, kids or spouse.
2. Dark room
3. I always sleep the same hours, somewhere around noon to 4 PM with expansion possible in either direction depending on how tired I am. My night shift is 10PM-7AM.
4. Always sleep before the first night shift after being off, sleep as needed on the first day off.
5. Use some type of sleep aid if needed to make sure that you do sleep soundly for at least a few hours. My sleep aid of choice is vodka, in minimalist moderation.
6. I never bounce to other shifts anymore which really helps.
7. I take short naps during the same time period on most of my days off.
I find that I can get a lot done before and after sleep on work days and I have an evening family life every day of the year. I can accept evening invitations because I am always up from 6-9 PM before going in to work.
It is really a great life.
August 24, 2016
better sleepTo deal with it, I usually wear earplugs, sleep mask and keep my bed clear. Besides that, I avoid using caffeine and alcohol