Severity and workload related to adverse events in the ICU

Rev Bras Enferm. 2017 Sep-Oct;70(5):942-948. doi: 10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0427.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective:: To analyze whether an increase in patient severity and nursing workload are correlated to a greater incidence of adverse events (AEs) in critical patients.

Method:: A prospective single cohort study was performed on a sample of 138 patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Results:: A total of 166 AEs, occurred, affecting 50.7% of the patients. Increased patient severity presented a direct relationship to the probability of AEs occurring. However, nursing workload did not present a statistically significant relationship with the occurrence of AEs.

Conclusion:: The results cast light on the importance of using evaluation tools by the nursing personnel in order to optimize their daily activities and focus on patient safety.

Objetivo:: Analisar se o aumento da gravidade do paciente e a carga de trabalho de enfermagem está relacionado à maior incidência de Eventos Adversos (EAs) em pacientes críticos.

Método:: Estudo de coorte única, prospectivo, com amostra de 138 pacientes internados em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI).

Resultados:: Ao todo, foram evidenciados 166 EAs, que acometeram 50,7% dos pacientes. O aumento da gravidade do paciente apresentou relação direta com a chance de ocorrência de EAs. Entretanto, a carga de trabalho de enfermagem não apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa, na ocorrência de EAs.

Conclusão:: Os resultados permitem refletir acerca da importância da equipe de enfermagem, em utilizar instrumentos de avaliação, com o objetivo de melhorar e planejar suas ações diárias, com foco na segurança do paciente.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cohort Studies
  • Critical Illness / epidemiology
  • Critical Illness / nursing
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units / organization & administration
  • Intensive Care Units / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Medical Errors / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • National Health Programs / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Acuity*
  • Patient Safety / standards
  • Patient Safety / statistics & numerical data
  • Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / standards
  • Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / statistics & numerical data
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Workload / standards*
  • Workload / statistics & numerical data