VIDEO: Medical mistakes due to residents’  fatigue

NBC NewsChannel
Published: December 2, 2008

Every year tens of thousands of hospital patients are harmed as a result of fatigue related mistakes.

Some of them even die.

Now the Institute of Medicine is proposing revisions to the hours and amount of work medical residents take on, hoping a change in the burden put on these doctors-in-training will lead to saved lives.

In 2003 average resident work hours were reduced to 80 per week, but the workload has remained the same.

This new report goes further, suggesting a maximum number of hours residents can work without sleep.

The report also suggests increases in the number of days residents should have off and limits two consecutive night shifts and moonlighting during residents’ off hours.

The changes could cost hospitals an estimated $1.7 billion more per year if adopted, but families, say that could prevent others from paying a much higher cost.

The committee also called for greater supervision of medical residents by experienced physicians.