I'M SAFE

I’M SAFE

A checklist adapted for clinicians to assess fatigue and fitness to work.

I: ILLNESS

• Have you been unwell or suffering from the symptoms of pregnancy?
• Has your health been put at risk by clinical work? (e.g. needle-stick injury, risk of exposure to infectious disease)
• Do you need to talk to Occupational Health?

M: MEDICATION

• Are you taking prescribed or over-the-counter medication that might be affecting you?

S: STRESS

• Are there work- or non-work-related factors that might affect your performance?
• Do you need to speak to someone before going on or off shift?
• Does the team need to debrief or provide feedback?

A: ALCOHOL

• Could there still be alcohol in your system?
• Consider your consumption in the last 24 hours, not just the previous 8 hours.

F: FATIGUE

• Have you had restricted sleep* in the last 2 weeks?
• Do you have a sleep debt?*
• Have you had trouble speaking coherently or keeping your eyes open?
• Would a short sleep make you safer?

E: EATING

• Have you had something to eat or drink?
• Do you need to?