Improved night shift schedule related to the mortality of critically ill patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019

Abstract Purpose To determine the relationship between the improved night shift schedule and the mortality of critically ill patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods According to the time of the implementation of the new night shift schedule, we divided all patients into two groups: initial period group and recent period group. The clinical electronic medical records, nursing records, laboratory findings, and radiological examinations for all patients with laboratory confirmed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were reviewed. Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) models were used to determine the risk factors associated with in hospital death. Results A total of 75 patients were included in this study. Initial period group includes 45 patients and recent period group includes 30 patients. The difference in mortality between the two groups was significant, 77.8% and 36.7%, respectively. Leukocytosis at admission and admitted to hospital before the new night shift schedule were associated with increased odds of death. Conclusions Shift arrangement of medical staff are associated with the mortality of critically ill patients with COVID-19. The new night shift schedule might improve the continuity of treatment, thereby improving the overall quality of medical work and reducing the mortality of critically ill patients.