The use of a pedometer to measure the physical activity during 12-hour shift of ICU and nurse anaesthetists in Poland.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Multicentre descriptive cross-sectional observational study without a separate control group
PubMed 31427148 · doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2019.07.009
What was done
A multicentre observational study in Poland evaluated the physical activity of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses and nurse anaesthetists during 12-hour shifts between November 2013 and May 2014. Step count, distance covered, and energy expenditure were measured using pedometers alongside socio-demographic interviews.
What was found
Median step counts during a 12-hour shift were 7404 (IQR 4461-9443) for nurse anaesthetists and 7358 (IQR 4705-9101) for ICU nurses. During day shifts, both groups covered a median distance of 5 kilometres (anaesthetists IQR 3.90-6.26; ICU nurses IQR 3.54-6.39). Statistically significant differences were observed between day and night shifts for distance (ICU p = 0.0003; anaesthesia p = 0.0001), step count (ICU p = 0.0002; anaesthesia p = 0.0001), and energy expenditure (ICU p = 0.0004; anaesthesia p = 0.0001).
Why it matters
Physical activity during 12-hour hospital shifts is insufficient on its own to meet standard recommendations of 10,000 steps per day. Nurses cannot assume clinical shift work alone meets targets for health maintenance.
Limits
The abstract does not state the sample size (n) or exact numerical values for energy expenditure. Data were collected from selected Polish hospitals, limiting generalizability. Pedometers do not measure non-ambulatory physical exertion, and physical activity outside working hours was not measured.
Cited by
- supports Hospital nurses walk multiple miles during a typical work shift to retrieve supplies and medications.