Final answer:
The impetus to change resident work hours was the concern over doctors being too tired, which could potentially lead to medical errors and compromised patient care. The death of Libby Zion in 1984 became a catalyst for reform, as it highlighted the dangers of excessive work hours for medical professionals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The impetus to change resident work hours was the concern over doctors being too tired, which could potentially lead to medical errors and compromised patient care. The death of Libby Zion in 1984 became a catalyst for reform, as it highlighted the dangers of excessive work hours for medical professionals. The incident sparked a national conversation about resident work hours and ultimately led to the implementation of duty hour regulations in the medical field.