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Factors associated with nursing workload in three intensive care units
Diana Isabel Cáceres Rivera1, Claudia Consuelo Torres2, Luis Alberto López Romero3
1Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Facultad de Enfermería, Grupo de Investigación GIFOSABI, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia.
Revista Da Escola De Enfermagem Da U S P
|September 8, 2021
Summary
Intensive care unit (ICU) nurses dedicate significant time to individual patients, with administrative tasks consuming most of their effort. Factors like longer hospital stays and patient severity increase nursing workload.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Nursing
- Healthcare Management
- Patient Outcomes
Background:
- Nursing workload in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is a critical factor influencing patient care quality and staff well-being.
- Understanding the determinants of nursing workload is essential for optimizing resource allocation and improving healthcare delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the nursing workload in ICUs using the Nursing Activities Score (NAS).
- To identify factors associated with high nursing workload in the ICU setting.
Main Methods:
- An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in three ICUs in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
- Nursing workload was assessed using the Nursing Activities Score (NAS).
- Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and robust multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- The median NAS was 68.1, indicating a substantial nursing workload.
- High NAS scores were significantly associated with APACHE II scores, prolonged ICU stay (≥3 days), surgical provenance, and trauma/emergency diagnoses.
- Nursing staff spent approximately 70% of their time on individual patient care, with administrative tasks being time-consuming.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights significant nursing workload in ICUs, influenced by patient acuity and length of stay.
- Administrative tasks represent a major component of nursing time, suggesting potential areas for workflow improvement.
- Findings provide valuable insights for ICU managers to develop strategies for workload management and resource optimization.
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