[Effect of the introduction of "on demand" nursing shifts on hours of absenteeism]. / Efecto de la implantación de turnos de enfermería «a demanda¼ sobre las horas de absentismo.

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of the introduction of a new system of rotating shifts on nursing absenteeism. The novelty of this system is that both the time distribution and the planning and allocation of shifts is carried out according to the wishes of the participating nurses. This study was performed in the Infanta Margarita Hospital (Cordoba, Spain) and the new shift system was introduced in the first quarter of 2011. The total number of absolute hours of absence decreased from 5551 to 3289 per semester. The implementation of this new "on demand" shift system seems to have significantly reduced hours of absence. This strategy aims to reconcile nurses' working hours with their personal and family lives.