Evidence from other studies of eight hour
versus 12 hour rotas ties in with this suggestion.
Compared with those on eight hour shifts
Johnston et al32 reported that nurses on 12 hour
shifts tended to be less alert. They also found
that the 12 hour shift nurses showed increased
errors and faster performance (a classic speedaccuracy
trade off) in a letter cancellation task
and decreased accuracy on a choice reaction
time task. These effects seem to be acute and
associated with the beginning of the first 12
hour shift after a block of rest days; suggesting
the need to consider the appropriate scheduling
of work tasks in the reorientation period
after long blocks of rest days on 12 hour rotas