J Sleep Med.  2018 Jun;15(1):15-19. 10.13078/jsm.18007.

A Nationwide Survey of Shift Schedules for Sleep Technicians in Korea

• Lee SY
• Choi SJ
• Suh S
• Song P
• Joo EY
• Shift Work Disorder Study Group

• KMID: 2434752
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13078/jsm.18007

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
It is a paradox that sleep technicians are at risk of shift work sleep disorder to help diagnose other people's sleep disorder. Until now, there have been no guidelines for scheduling shifts for sleep technicians. The purpose of this study was to survey the current shift schedule of sleep technicians.
METHODS
We performed a nationwide survey of work schedules for sleep laboratories. We sent email questionnaires to sleep technicians working in university-affiliated hospitals. Information regarding starting time and duration of shift, duty on-duty off pattern for the past month, and rotation and number of sleep technicians in the sleep labs were collected.
RESULTS
We received responses from 29 sleep labs. Among the 25 labs which had designated sleep technicians, three labs had night shift schedules mixed with day work on a weekly basis and the remaining 22 labs had night only shift schedule. In cases of night only shift schedules, 11 labs alternated from night shift to day shift works or vice versa every 3 months to 3 years, while the remaining 11 labs had fixed schedules without daytime rotation. Number of night shift was four or less per week, with shift durations of 9-19 hours.
CONCLUSIONS
The current policies regarding scheduling shifts varied vastly depending on individual sleep labs. We found that some labs had shift schedules with long work time, quick returns, or permanent night shifts, which are generally not recommended. Further studies are needed to develop consensus guidelines for scheduling shift of sleep technicians.

Keyword

Sleep; Shift work; Shift schedule

MeSH Terms

Appointments and Schedules*
Consensus
Electronic Mail
Korea*
Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
Sleep Wake Disorders