Abstract
Background The most recent work-hour restrictions were implemented in July 2011 for training physicians. The impact of these regulations on workplace injuries is not yet fully understood. Our goal is to determine the effect of the work-hour limitation on the rates of needlestick and eyesplash injuries.Methods Approximately 1200 neurosurgery residents and fellows in the United States were emailed a survey, several times, Sept 2013–February 2014. There were 212 responses across postgraduate years 1–7 and fellowship regarding the rate of needlestick and eyesplash injuries experienced or witnessed before and after July 2011.Results Regarding witnessing a needlestick/eyesplash accident: 89.33% of respondents claimed witnessing an injury. Specifically regarding percutaneous injuries (PCIs): before July 2011, 21.77% claimed never witnessing; after July 2011, only 8.9% indicated never witnessing. Specifically regarding eyesplash injuries: comparing the injuries (40.94%) before July 2011 to those (51.94%) after July 2011, the survey indicated an increase in eyesplash injuries.Conclusion The results of this survey document that neurosurgery residents/fellows observed (or personally sustained) an increased number of needlestick and eyesplash injuries after implementation of the July 2011 work-hour limitations. Although the last set of reduced-hour regulations have been in place for more than three years, there does not therefore seem to be a safety advantage associated with them regarding a reduction in PCI or eyesplash accidents. This may be due to other confounding factors, not yet affirmatively identified, which warrant additional investigation and identification, directed at preventing future injuries.
Highlights
How to cite this article Drazin D, Al-Khouja L, Colen C (April 03, 2016) The Effects of the 80-hour Workweek on Occupational Hazards
The most recent work-hour restrictions were implemented in July 2011 for training physicians
The creation and implementation of work-hour limitations in July 2003 for training physicians is a controversial topic that has raised many questions including the sufficiency of current training programs under the new time limitations, the effects on patients being treated by the training physicians, and the impact on the health and safety of the training physicians themselves
Summary
How to cite this article Drazin D, Al-Khouja L, Colen C (April 03, 2016) The Effects of the 80-hour Workweek on Occupational Hazards. More work-hour restrictions were put in place in July 2011 limiting hours to a maximum of 16 hours per shift with eight hours off between shifts. This further raised the question of whether these limitations would result in long-term effects during their neurosurgery training such as decreased competence and skill level compared to residents of the same level prior to the placement of the work-hour limitations. The most recent work-hour restrictions were implemented in July 2011 for training physicians The impact of these regulations on workplace injuries is not yet fully understood. Our goal is to determine the effect of the work-hour limitation on the rates of needlestick and eyesplash injuries
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