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

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

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.

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.

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.