Citation

Kostreva MM, Genevier P, Jennings KSB. Int. J. Ind. Ergonomics 1991; 7(4): 317-322.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The principles of circadian rhythms in human beings have been applied to devise a methodology for scheduling shift work in a hospital unit which is operating under several important constraints. Considered here are time off between shifts, number of consecutive work days, number of distinct shifts in any two calendar weeks, number of shifts per week and special staffing for informational and training meetings. It is shown how the method of Czeisler et al. (1982) can be adapted for the more constrained work environment. A set of evaluation scales for circadian theory violations is devised and applied to an example from Togus VA Hospital. Results include the actual schedules together with evaluations on three different aspects of circadian theory: length of cycle on a single shift, rotation involving night shifts and rotation not involving night shifts. Improvements of each of these evaluations with respect to previously published results are obtained.