Code of Practice
NATIONAL CODE OF PRACTICE FOR MANAGING NURSES’ FATIGUE AND SHIFT WORK IN DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD HOSPITALS
Shift work, long hours, and the fatigue they generate can compromise the health, safety and well-being of nurses and their patients. This Code of Practice provides a ground-breaking approach to addressing these challenges, which are inevitable and must be better managed in 24/7 services. It merges the latest science and safety management practice with extensive nursing sector expertise and experience and is endorsed by WorkSafe, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, and the Council of Trade Unions.
The goals of the Code of Practice are to improve:
- patient safety;
- the health, safety, wellbeing, quality of life and retention of nurses; and
- the efficient and effective use of hospital resources, including both people and financial resources.
The Code of Practice provides guidance for DHBs in developing and implementing a data-driven Fatigue and Shift Work Management System.