sleep deprivation and its effect on the human body & job performance dr bruce hensley medical...
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Sleep Deprivation and Its Effect on the Human Body & Job PerformanceDr Bruce HensleyMedical Director St Vincent Charity HospitalMercy Work Health and Safety
ObjectivesImportance of SleepCommon Sleep Disorders and
Medical IssuesConsequences of Workplace
FatigueWhat About Shift Work?Helpful Tips to Reduce Workplace
Fatigue
Importance of SleepSleep is Vital for ALL Human FunctionsPhysical and Cognitive PerformanceREM Sleep required for Restorative
PropertiesImproves Learning, Creativity and
MemoryMood EnhancementProtects and Boost Immune SystemRelationship Between Weight Gain
and Aging
Sleep Requirements Vary Over Life Span0-2 Months 10.5 - 18 Hrs2-12 Months 14 – 15 Hrs12-18 Months 13 - 15 Hrs18 mos - 3 yrs 12 – 14 Hrs3 – 5 yrs 11 – 13 Hrs5 – 12 yrs 10 – 11 HrsAdolescents 9.25 on
Average Adults 7 – 9 Hrs
Sleep Disorders and Medical ConditionsSleep Apnea may cause 3.4 billion dollars
in additional medical costHypertensionDiabetes MellitusCardiovascular Disease & StrokeObesityDepression/AnxietyAlcohol AbuseNarcolepsyGastrointestinal DiseaseRLS
Other ImpactDivorceSmokingAutomobile accidents
Catastrophic FatigueUnion Carbide chemical plant in
BhopalChernobylThree Mile IslandExxon Valdez
Impact at Work(NSF Poll of Workers) Sleep related fatigue costs for US
businesses is estimated at 150 billion a year:◦Absenteeism◦Workplace Accidents◦Lost productivity
68% have issues with concentration 65% have problems handling stress 57% have difficulty listening 38% have difficulty relating to others 57% have problems solving impairment 56% have decision making issues
Impact at Work14% late for work4% stay home7% fall asleep at work19% make errors2% get injured
Shift Workers65.2 Billion dollar loss from shift work15% of the US Work force20 Million People Work Early Start time
(2:30a-7:00a)SWD – Sleep Work DisorderNurses for example:
◦ 74% of nurses work 12 hr shifts◦ 15% admit to falling asleep on the job in a 30 day
period◦ 12 hr shift nurse report 3.3 more errors per shift
vs. 8 hr shift◦ Nurses working 12 shifts report off work more
than 8 hr shift workers
Strategies to Improve Alertness
Recognize signs of fatigueAvoid building a sleep debtMonitor sedating drugsPower naps if possibleTake short breaksExercise on breaksEat healthyDo demanding task when most alertCaffeine can help when used
appropriately
Good Sleep HygieneMaintain a regular bedtimeBedroom should be dark, quiet cool and
comfortableNo working in the bedroomNo food 3 hrs before bedtimeAvoid caffeine, nicotine or alcohol close to
bedtimeNaps 4 hrs prior to bedtime can be disruptiveExercise regularly. Best if completed a few hrs
before bedtimeAddress medical issues- snoring, restless leg
syndrome, etc
StrategiesPromote sleep at home:
◦Darken bedroom◦Light blocking and sound absorbing curtains
or shades◦Wear eye shades◦Wear dark glasses on drive home after shift
work◦Wear ear plus or white noise machine◦Carpet absorbs noise◦Unplug the phone◦Tell family and friends your sleeping
schedule
