NTSB official speaks at EVMS

Story Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2012 10:20:00 EDT

Mark R. Rosekind, PhD, an official with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was at EVMS April 25 to speak with faculty, students and residents about fatigue and its impact on transportation as well as medicine.

Dr. Rosekind is one of five board members for the NTSB, which investigates transportation accidents and promotes transportation safety. He spoke about the dangers of mental fatigue on performance, both behind the wheel and in medical settings.

Dr. Rosekind told an audience at the Internal Medicine Grand Rounds that losing just two hours of sleep a night has the same impact on judgment and performance as drinking 2 to 3 beers. He spoke about the efforts at some institutions, including select VA hospitals, to institute naps during the work day. He said research indicates that brief naps can significantly improve alertness and performance.

Dr. Rosekind also lectured later in the day at Psychiatry Grand Rounds.

Catesby Ware, PhD, Director of Sleep Medicine at EVMS, invited Dr. Rosekind.