Federal Limits on Mandatory Nurse Overtime for Enhanced Patient Safety
This law establishes federal limits on mandatory overtime for nurses in healthcare facilities receiving Medicare payments. The goal is to reduce nurse fatigue, which directly leads to fewer medical errors and safer patient care. Nurses are protected from penalties or retaliation if they refuse to work beyond the established limits.
Key points
Maximum Work Limits: Nurses cannot be forced to work more than 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period or more than 48 hours in any workweek.
Mandatory Rest Period: A 10-hour rest period is required immediately following a 12-hour shift before the nurse can return to duty.
Protection Against Retaliation: Healthcare providers cannot fire or penalize nurses for refusing mandatory overtime, except during strictly defined emergency situations.
Emergency Exceptions: Mandatory overtime is only permitted during a declared disaster or emergency, provided the facility has made reasonable efforts to find alternative staffing.
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