Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS ... - NAEMT

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<strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sleep</strong> <strong>Deprivation</strong> on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders Naps as short as 20 minutes can be effective in restoring mental abilities, and naps <strong>of</strong> two hour during long work shifts can be highly restorative. Based on the disproportionate recovery potential <strong>of</strong> relatively short (less than 45 minutes) periods, these “power naps” have been investigated as a strategy to attenuate performance deficits during and following periods <strong>of</strong> sleep deprivation (Gillberg, Kecklund & Axelsson, 1996). Studies by NASA showed that planned naps by pilots on long-haul flights improved alertness when landing. For most types <strong>of</strong> night work, nap breaks are generally not an option, despite their potential for suppressing sleepiness. However, some industrial organizations have begun promoting napping as a means to improve conditions, work performance and safety (Takeyama, Kubo & Itani, 2005). Stanford researchers (Smith-Coggins et al., 2006) examined emergency room doctors and found that short naps during a 12 hour night shift resulted in better performance on written memory tests, a simulated car drive and simulated intravenous line insertion. As a result, their hospital instituted a sanctioned napping program. Suggestions for emergency room staffing patterns have included recommendations to allow strategic napping prior to work and following 12 hour shifts before driving home (J<strong>of</strong>fe, 2006). Studies performed among flight crews by NASA and the Federal Aeronautics Administration also revealed information about ‘planned naps.’ They found that naps could be scheduled in anticipation <strong>of</strong> fatigue, and they did not need to wait until an individual was so fatigued that involuntary napping occurred. Most people could fall asleep during planned naps in a reasonable time (i.e., five to ten minutes) (Rosekind et al., 1994). A potential adverse effect <strong>of</strong> napping is the grogginess or sleep inertial experienced upon awakening (see page 2). Naps longer than 45 minutes can result in awakening during the deeper stages <strong>of</strong> sleep and greater grogginess and reduced cognitive performance than if awoken from Stage 1 or 2 <strong>of</strong> non-rapid eye movement (NREM) or from REM sleep (Dinges & Orne, 1987; Takeyama et al., 2004). Immediately upon awakening, a person’s ability to make decisions may be half that <strong>of</strong> the ability when rested and fully awake, and even 30 minutes later, decision making may not be back to normal. In addition to the duration <strong>of</strong> a nap, the circumstances <strong>of</strong> awakening affect sleep inertia. Paradoxically, abrupt awakening, such as might occur with a fire alarm, may result in longer persistence <strong>of</strong> grogginess. In addition, those with chronic sleep deprivation are more affected by sleep inertia. Thus, if an individual is required to be alert upon awakening, naps are best when either short or approximately two hours in duration, when the individual would be expected to be dreaming or in the early phases <strong>of</strong> the next sleep cycle. Also when possible, getting started upon awakening by washing one’s face, drinking c<strong>of</strong>fee or tea, using bright lights or being physically active, can help with feeling more alert, although performance still can take more than 20 minutes to return to normal levels. 5.9 Structuring Work Hours Shift duration, patterns and sequencing are components <strong>of</strong> the science <strong>of</strong> industrial hygiene. Determining work structure for a specific site is complex and requires consideration <strong>of</strong> many factors, full participation <strong>of</strong> labor and management and <strong>of</strong>ten, the services <strong>of</strong> consultants. The following paragraphs present some <strong>of</strong> the considerations relating to shift patterns. Because <strong>of</strong> the wide variability in work structures and staffing demands, making generalizations or specific 65
<strong>Effects</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Sleep</strong> <strong>Deprivation</strong> on Fire Fighters and EMS Responders recommendations is not possible. However, principles from studies in other settings can be used when assessing existing fire fighter and EMS responders’ work structures. In general, fixed shifts cause the least disruption to circadian rhythms, provided that workers maintain the same sleep and wake cycle on their rest and work days. For example, fixed shift patterns are popular with police <strong>of</strong>ficers, where <strong>of</strong>ficers bid for a shift. In those and other settings with fixed shifts, the most senior workers <strong>of</strong>ten obtain their preferences. As a result, those working nights are newly hired or those who prefer nights due to second jobs or other daytime activities, such as care giving duties. For the latter group, their daytime commitments and nighttime work make adequate restorative sleep almost impossible. Rotating shifts are a means to deter workers from combining fixed daytime commitments with their nighttime shift work. Studies on shift workers have shown it takes about 21 consecutive days for circadian rhythms to fully adjust to night shift. Most rotating shift schedules make changes too rapidly to allow circadian adjustment to the new work pattern. The direction for a rotating shift is most physiological when it is forward, (early/later/nights), because the internal bodily clock naturally tends to run slow (i.e., every 25 hours). That is why it is easier to delay sleep than it is to advance it and why people experience less jet lag going from east to west than from west to east. Despite that rationale, some workers prefer a backward rotation (nights/later/ early), because it affords more time to recover lost sleep and prepare for the next night shift. When to begin daytime shifts also has been examined, and as a rule, early starts to morning shift should be avoided. While there is no optimum starting time, 0700 is better than 0600 which is better than 0500. Early starts reduce sleep, as by choice or by family circumstances, most workers go to bed around their normal time the prior evening, despite the early shift. Reduced sleep because <strong>of</strong> early shift starts leads to fatigue, which can increase the risk <strong>of</strong> errors and accidents on morning shifts. Extended shifts is the term used for shifts lasting longer than the typical eight hours. Available information indicates that jobs not requiring a high degree <strong>of</strong> physical exertion or that have natural resting periods may be most suitable for the extended workday schedule (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 1999). For example, a machinist who has cycle time between setups that allows reduced attention while the machine is running can probably work a longer day. On the other hand, a data entry operator who must continually enter data while sitting in one position and concentrating for long periods would find the extended workday more difficult. The potential advantage and disadvantages <strong>of</strong> properly designed extended workdays are that longer periods <strong>of</strong>f can compensate for longer workdays. On the other hand, with longer shifts, workers have little time for anything other than their jobs, eating and sleeping, during their working days. Workers with other responsibilities, such as child care and other family responsibilities, may find the extended workdays especially tiring. Time spent travelling to and from work is <strong>of</strong>ten viewed by workers as lost time. The extended workday means fewer commuting trips and, therefore, less wasted time. When supported by the workers, extended shifts may enhance worker morale and job satisfaction, which must be balanced with a need for more breaks and a slower work pace with extended shifts (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, 1999). 66
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Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Fire Fighters and EMS ... - NAEMT

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