Extended Work Periods Among Anesthesiologists and Postoperative Patient Outcomes

Are extended work periods for anesthesiologists associated with worse postoperative patient outcomes?In this cross-sectional study of 1 648 720 surgical procedures involving 1711 anesthesiologists across 36 institutions, the primary adjusted analysis did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in a composite of in-hospital major morbidity or mortality between extended and standard work periods; however, point estimates suggested small increases in risk, with sensitivity analyses yielding directionally consistent estimates. In-hospital mortality was also higher in extended work periods.These findings suggest that patients cared for by anesthesiologists who have been working continuously for 16 hours or longer and who may be fatigued may be at slightly higher risk for adverse outcomes.

Corresponding Author: Anjali A. Dixit, MD, MPH, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, 300 Pasteur Dr, H3580, Stanford, CA 94305 (anjalid@stanford.edu).

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