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. 2024 Aug 23:58:e20240107.
doi: 10.1590/1980-220X-REEUSP-2024-0107en. eCollection 2024.

Nursing workload and severity of COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Wesley Cajaiba Santos  1 , Maria Carolina Barbosa Teixeira Lopes  1 , Cassia Regina Vancini-Campanharo  1 , Daniela Boschetti  2 , Sirlei Oliveira da Silva Dias  2 , Meire Cristina Novelli E Castro  3 , Luis Humberto Vieri Piacezzi  1 , Ruth Ester Assayag Batista  1
Affiliations

Nursing workload and severity of COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Wesley Cajaiba Santos et al. Rev Esc Enferm USP. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To evaluate the workload and severity of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with COVID-19.

Method: Cross-sectional, analytical study carried out in the ICU of a private hospital. All patients over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted from September 2020 to June 2021 were included. Workload assessed by the Nursing Activities Score (NAS), and severity by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed.

Results: 217 patients were included, mostly men, mean age 62.41 years, white, obese, non-smokers and sedentary. The average NAS was 84.79. Staffing was in line with legislation and NAS. NAS was not associated with severity. Severity was associated with higher age, gender, comorbidities, sedentary lifestyle, time on mechanical ventilation, hospitalization and death.

Conclusion: Workload was high and not associated with severity or outcomes. Severity was associated with demographic and clinical conditions. This study shows the importance of staff sizing, with a view to promoting safety and quality of care.

Objetivo:: Evaluar la carga de trabajo y la gravedad de los pacientes de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) con COVID-19.

Método:: Estudio transversal y analítico realizado en la UCI de un hospital privado. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes mayores de 18 años con diagnóstico de COVID-19 ingresados entre septiembre de 2020 y junio de 2021. Carga de trabajo evaluada mediante la Nursing Activities Score (NAS), y gravedad mediante la valoración secuencial de fallo orgánico. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos e inferenciales.

Resultados:: Se incluyeron 217 pacientes, en su mayoría hombres, edad media 62,41 años, raza blanca, obesos, no fumadores y sedentarios. El NAS medio era de 84,79. Los niveles de personal se ajustaban a la legislación y al NAS. El NAS no se asoció con la gravedad. La gravedad se asoció a mayor edad, sexo, comorbilidades, sedentarismo, tiempo de ventilación mecánica, hospitalización y muerte.

Conclusión:: La carga de trabajo fue elevada y no se asoció a la gravedad ni a los resultados. La gravedad se asoció a las condiciones demográficas y clínicas. Este estudio muestra la importancia del dimensionamiento del personal, con vistas a promover la seguridad y la calidad de los cuidados.

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