Healthcare Traveler - May 2008 - (Page 58)

Starter’s Kit Bobbi Harrison T H E B A S I C S O F T R AV E L I N G 8 steps to restorative sleep T o combat fatigue, the Federal Highway Administration regulations limit truckers to working 10 consecutive hours, followed by a minimum 8-hour break. Similar rules have been implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration, which requires airline pilots to have at least 8 hours of continual rest in the 24 hours before finishing their flight duty. Yet, within the healthcare industry, regulations concerning the impact of exhaustion on performance and safety have yet to be mandated. Of course, a number of facilities follow the guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for fatigue prevention, which suggest a rather broad limit of 60-hour workweeks for nurses. Others have adopted their own strategies, such as improved scheduling, sleep rooms, and even better lighting. But what can you do, personally, to thwart the potentially dangerous effects of fatigue? Getting the best rest As a healthcare traveler, you’re able to determine the hours you practice each week, a factor that certainly puts you in an enviable position. Still, while a typical contract consists of three 12-hour shifts a week, a large number of assignments call for providers to work 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.—the shift with the greatest need for supplemental staff. What’s more, you may elect to sign on for an additional shift or two, on occasion or regularly. Even so, by following some timely tips on getting the best rest, you can get the sleep you need to be refreshed. 1. Use good quality bedding. Whether you opt to bring your own pillows from home or rely on your company’s housing department to supply you with linens, make sure you have comfortable bedding. The cozier your bed, the better you’ll rest. 2. Make your bedroom conducive to sleep. Cool, quiet, and dark are opti- hot weather, turn on an air conditioner or fan, as well. It would be preferable to keep televisions, computers, video games, and other possible distractions out of your room. And to remain asleep once you drift off, turn the ringer down or off on your landline and switch off your cell phone. And don’t hesitate to tell potential visitors that you’ll be sleeping during certain hours and do not want to be disturbed unless it’s an emergency. 3. Begin a bedtime regimen…and stick to it. Develop a daily ritual, like relaxing Expanding Horizons Starter’s Kit… Going the Distance… Allied Corner… 58 Healthcare Traveler May 2008 58 60 62 mum conditions for beneficial slumber. If you must get your zzz’s during the day, there are some strategies to follow to trick your body into thinking it is nighttime. For one, wear a sleep mask or use inexpensive “blackout” curtains or shades. To keep out the everyday din—such as routine traffic or children playing outside—consider investing in an air purifier or humidifier. The “white noise” these devices emit can block out disruptive sounds, and as a bonus,you’ll be able to breathe better. In warm or in a warm bath, reading, or listening to calming music or nature recordings before turning in. The habit will be a soothing preamble to sleep, providing a nice buffer between snooze time and work/day-to-day activities. 4. Keep a regular sleep schedule. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night (or day!) for adults. Adhering to a specific bedtime—and wake time—can help you meet those guidelines. Also, if you’re www.healthcaretraveler.com Photo: Getty Images/Mark Andersen www.healthcaretraveler.com http://www.healthcaretraveler.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Traveler - May 2008

Healthcare Traveler - May 2008 Editor's Desk Contents In a Flash Paws for Thought Field Notes Cardiac Care at the Heart of Many Travelers Careers The Current Economy Clinical Tips Drug Update On Assignment Name It When In Advertisers' Index Good for You Tax Facts Big Deals Contest Rules Starter's Kit Going the Distance Tales from the Road Allied Corner Classifieds

Healthcare Traveler - May 2008

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