This study surveyed Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (
CRNA) members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (
AANA) on their frequency of call-shift
fatigue,
fatigue symptoms, medical errors associated with
fatigue, and use of
fatigue countermeasures and avoidance strategies. A secondary aim was to identify predictors of call-shift
fatigue. An invitation to complete an anonymous electronic survey was sent to 2,500 randomly selected
AANA members. Data were collected on CRNAs'
fatigue experience, call-shift length and frequency, errors in patient care, and use of
fatigue countermeasures and avoidance strategies. Analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of call-shift
fatigue. Of 325 CRNAs who provided data, 82% reported experiencing call-shift
fatigue, 87% used
fatigue countermeasures, 77% used
fatigue-avoidance strategies, and 28% reported committing a medical error because of
fatigue. Predictors included hours to recovery from a call shift (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-1.12), working 5 to 6 calls per month (OR = 3.78, CI = 1.17-12.23), working 7 or more calls per month (OR = 4.87, CI = 1.93-12.33), use of
fatigue countermeasures (OR = 5.44, CI = 2.15-13.77), and
fatigue symptoms (OR = 2.19, CI = 1.03-4.67). Call-shift
fatigue is a common problem among CRNAs and is associated with medical errors and negative health consequences.