Sleep Deprivation and Its Effect on the Human Body & Job Performance Dr Bruce Hensley Medical Director St Vincent Charity Hospital Mercy Work Health and Safety

Objectives Importance of Sleep Common Sleep Disorders and Medical Issues Consequences of Workplace Fatigue What About Shift Work? Helpful Tips to Reduce Workplace Fatigue

Importance of Sleep Sleep is Vital for ALL Human Functions Physical and Cognitive Performance REM Sleep required for Restorative Properties Improves Learning, Creativity and Memory Mood Enhancement Protects and Boost Immune System Relationship Between Weight Gain and Aging

Sleep Requirements Vary Over Life Span 0-2 Months Hrs 2-12 Months 14 – 15 Hrs Months Hrs 18 mos - 3 yrs 12 – 14 Hrs 3 – 5 yrs 11 – 13 Hrs 5 – 12 yrs 10 – 11 Hrs Adolescents 9.25 on Average Adults 7 – 9 Hrs

Sleep Disorders and Medical Conditions Sleep Apnea may cause 3.4 billion dollars in additional medical cost Hypertension Diabetes Mellitus Cardiovascular Disease & Stroke Obesity Depression/Anxiety Alcohol Abuse Narcolepsy Gastrointestinal Disease RLS

Other Impact Divorce Smoking Automobile accidents

Catastrophic Fatigue Union Carbide chemical plant in Bhopal Chernobyl Three Mile Island Exxon 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 Work 14% late for work 4% stay home 7% fall asleep at work 19% make errors 2% get injured

Shift Workers 65.2 Billion dollar loss from shift work 15% of the US Work force 20 Million People Work Early Start time (2:30a- 7:00a) SWD – Sleep Work Disorder Nurses 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 fatigue Avoid building a sleep debt Monitor sedating drugs Power naps if possible Take short breaks Exercise on breaks Eat healthy Do demanding task when most alert Caffeine can help when used appropriately

Good Sleep Hygiene Maintain a regular bedtime Bedroom should be dark, quiet cool and comfortable No working in the bedroom No food 3 hrs before bedtime Avoid caffeine, nicotine or alcohol close to bedtime Naps 4 hrs prior to bedtime can be disruptive Exercise regularly. Best if completed a few hrs before bedtime Address medical issues- snoring, restless leg syndrome, etc

Strategies Promote 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

Questions