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A new state law eliminates mandatory overtime for nurses at all healthcare facilities. It’s a matter of safety for the nurses — and patients.

The new Pennsylvania law ensures that nurses and other caregivers won’t be forced to work double shifts, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

A University of Pennsylvania study shows the risk of medical error was as much as three times higher when a nurse worked a shift of 12.5 hours or longer.

A survey by the Pennsylvania Department of Health showed 13.6% of the state’s registered nurses had experienced mandatory OT in the two weeks before taking the survey.

The law gives healthcare facilities time to hire more nurses. The mandatory OT ban doesn’t go into effect until July 1, 2009.

How does your company balance the need for employees to put in OT and the added safety risks of fatigue? Let us know in the Comments Box below.

Tags: fatigue, healthcare, overtime