In a national online survey conducted by the American Society of Registered Nurses, 32% of the Registered Nurses surveyed said they were too exhausted and fatigued after work to be driving and "shouldn't be on the road."

Sausalito, CA (PRWEB) April 10, 2008 -- For those in the medical profession sleep is essential, for the care of their patients. But what happens after they head home is concerning the medical community.

In a national online survey conducted by the American Society of Registered Nurses (ASRN.ORG), 32% of the Registered Nurses surveyed said they were too exhausted and fatigued after work to be driving and "shouldn't be on the road."

"Nurses who work at night are four more times likely to experience a drowsy-driving episode," said Linda Scott, director of Grand Valley State University's nursing program.

"In addition, the risk of crashes almost doubles for drivers working night shifts that exceed 12.5 hours in length."

There are two main causes of drowsy driving:

    • Sleep restriction
    Persons getting less than the recommended seven-to-eight hours of sleep each night are more
    likely to feel tired the following day, which can ultimately affect their cognizance behind the
    wheel. Not getting enough sleep on a consistent basis can create "sleep debt" and lead to
    chronic sleepiness over time. While some factors, including working at a job that requires long
    hours and familial responsibilities, are beyond a person's control, other reasons for sleep
    restriction represent a lifestyle choice. This includes sleeping less to have more time to work,
    study, socialize or participate in other activities.
    •Sleep fragmentation
    Sleep fragmentation causes an inadequate amount of sleep and can negatively affect a person's
    functioning during the daytime. Sleep fragmentation can have internal and external causes. The
    primary internal cause is sickness, including untreated sleep disorders. External factors that
    can prevent a person's ability to have a full, refreshing night of sleep include noise, children,
    bright lights and a restless bed partner.

Eight to nine hours of sleep is optimal and sufficient sleep benefits alertness, memory and problem solving, and overall health, as well as reducing the risk of accidents according to the National Sleep Foundation. A widely publicized 2003 study performed at the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Medicine demonstrated that cognitive performance declines with fewer than eight hours of sleep.

For nurses who work mandatory overtime, double shifts or simply do not get off until after midnight or sometimes morning, it is nearly impossible to ensure seven to eight hours of sleep.

So how do nurses avoid drowsy driving? That can be up for debate. But the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has a few tips, although some are impossible to follow:

    •Get enough sleep
    AASM recommends that adults get seven-to-eight hours of sleep each night in order to maintain
    good health and optimum performance.
    •Take breaks while driving
    If you become drowsy while driving, pull off to a rest area and take a short nap, preferably 15-20
    minutes in length.
    •Consume caffeine
    Caffeine improves alertness in people who are fatigued.
    •Do not drink alcohol
    Alcohol can further impair a person's ability to stay awake and make good decisions. Taking the
    wheel after having just one glass of alcohol can affect your level of fatigue while driving.
    • Do not drive late at night
    Avoid driving after midnight, which is a natural period of sleepiness.

Nationwide, drowsy driving is the direct cause of approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually, resulting in an estimated 1,550 deaths, 71,000 injuries and $12.5 billion in monetary losses, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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