Mental health problems among nurses in paediatric cardiac intensive care.

At present, there are growing rates of psychiatric symptoms among some occupational categories, with emphasis on health professionals who work in hospitals. This study aimed to identify the occurrence of mental health problems (anxiety and depression) among 92 nursing workers in a paediatric cardiac intensive care unit. This is an exploratory, cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach. The research was conducted in a public university hospital specialising in cardiology, pneumology, and thoracic and cardiac surgery. The data were collected between June and July of 2012 through socio-demographic and Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) instruments. The analysis of the results revealed the occurrence of mental health problems in 45% (41) of the workers. There was the prevalence of tension, nervousness and worry symptoms, followed by headache. Findings highlight the need for protective measures towards the mental health of workers who assist children with serious heart disease.

Absenteeism due to mental disorders in health professionals at a hospital in southern Brazil. / Absenteísmo por transtornos mentais em trabalhadores de saúde em um hospital no sul do Brasil.

Objective To describe the health profile of mental and behavioral disorders in health professionals at a teaching hospital in southern Brazil. Methods This was a quantitative, retrospective cross-sectional epidemiological study whose data were collected through institutional documents used to feed the Health Monitoring System for Nursing Professionals and involved all absenteeism occurred in 2011. Results We found 55 records of absenteeism due to mental and behavioral disorders, a total of 317 days absent. Nursing technicians were the most absentee, with 29.09% of the records. The intensive care unit represented the sector with the highest number of days absent, 81%, and depressive episodes were the most frequent, representing 52.72% of mental disorders. Conclusion The results showed that mental disorders in health professionals are a cause for concern and urgently need intervention.

Exposure of nursing workers to workloads and their consequences. / Exposição dos trabalhadores de enfermagem às cargas de trabalho e suas consequências.

Objective Measure the exposure of nursing workers to workloads and strain processes and their consequences, by means of indicators. Method Epidemiological, descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study, conducted in 12 units of three teaching hospitals in the city of Sao Paulo. The study population consisted of 452 nursing workers and the data was collected from hospital medical records using the software System for Monitoring the Health of Nursing Workers (SIMOSTE). The data was analyzed on the basis of indicators that provided information about organizational dynamics, occupational health problems and their consequences. Results The health problem indicators revealed 879 exposures to worloads and 1,355 strain processes. The consequences indicators showed 2,709 lost days per year. Conclusions Exposure to different workloads subjects workers to numerous strain processes, which should be monitored in order to implement preventive measures.

Nursing workers health and patient safety: the look of nurse managers. / Saúde dos trabalhadores de enfermagem e a segurança do paciente: o olhar de gerentes de enfermagem.

Objective To understand the perception of nurse managers about the relationship between nursing workers health and patient safety. Method A qualitative survey was conducted using the social phenomenology approach of Alfred Schütz, accomplished through individual interviews with nine nurse managers from five Brazilian university hospitals. Results Nurse managers' perception of the relationship between nursing workers health and patient safety was evidenced in the following categories: "The suffering to balance workers health and patient safety" and "Interventions in everyday work life". Conclusion Managers' experience showed an everyday work life marked by suffering and concern, due to high rates of absenteeism and presenteeism resulting from illness and incapability of workers, and the need to ensure patient safety through qualified nursing care.

[Health problems of nursing workers in a public educational institution]. / Agravos à saúde dos trabalhadores de enfermagem em uma instituição pública de ensino.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the issues occurred with nursing workers through a Health Monitoring System for Nursing Workers (SIMOSTE) and to describe the consequences of those problems. METHOD: This is a quantitative, exploratory and descriptive study realized in a teaching hospital in the west region of the city of São Paulo. RESULTS: From the SIMOSTE, 1.847 occurrences were registered in a six month period. Within the main occurrences, medical licenses, work related accidents with and without removals; psychiatric consultations and psychotherapy were highlighted. CONCLUSION: The data points out to the need for the development of new health vigilance actions to notify accidents and illness related to work, besides the prevention of issues.

[Description of workloads and fatigue experienced among health workers in a teaching hospital]. / Cargas e desgastes de trabalho vivenciados entre trabalhadores de saúde em um hospital de ensino.

This is an exploratory, descriptive and quantitative study, based on the following categories: work process, workloads and fatigue in a teaching hospital in Curitiba in the southern region of Brazil. The article characterizes the load and stress experienced in a university hospital, based on a previous study entitled "System for monitoring the health of nursing workers" (SIMOSTE). The results show that females were the most affected (85.9%) and the most affected professionals were nursing assistants (53.1%). The highest number of sick leaves was due to diseases of the osteoarticular system (25.2%) and the most significant loads were mechanical and physiological with 33.06% each. These results may support intervention strategies in the policies directed toward the workers' health to ensure a better quality of life and consequently improve the quality of care provided to the user.

[Nursing workers' perceptions regarding the handling of hazardous chemical waste]. / A percepção dos trabalhadores de enfermagem sobre o manejo dos resíduos químicos perigosos.

The objectives of this study were to identify the perceptions of nursing workers regarding the handling of hazardous chemical waste at the University of São Paulo University Hospital (HU-USP), and develop a proposal to improve safety measures. This study used a qualitative approach and a convenience sample consisting of eighteen nursing workers. Data collection was performed through focal groups. Thematic analysis revealed four categories that gave evidence of training deficiencies in terms of the stages of handling waste. Difficulties that emerged included a lack of knowledge regarding exposure and its impact, the utilization of personal protective equipment versus collective protection, and suggestions regarding measures to be taken by the institution and workers for the safe handling of hazardous chemical waste. The present data allowed for recommending proposals regarding the safe management of hazardous chemical waste by the nursing staff.

[A contribution to occupational health: a guide on the exposure to biological fluids]. / Uma contribuição à saúde dos trabalhadores: um guia sobre exposição aos fluídos biológicos.

Health workers are exposed to occupational hazards at the workplace, among which we highlight the biological risk. Information and orientation should be provided regarding the conduct that workers are expected to follow in the case becoming exposed. Thus, this guide is intended to provide the elements to orient workers' conduct in cases of biological exposure, improving adherence to the monitoring protocol.

The profile of EEUSP graduates of the stricto sensu program in nursing management. / Perfil de egressos da Pós-Graduação stricto sensu na área de Gerenciamento em Enfermagem da EEUSP.

The objectives of the present study were to identify and discuss on the profile of the graduates form the stricto sensu program in Nursing Administration/Management of the University of São Paulo School of Nursing, from October 2008 to June 2011, regarding the knowledge areas the graduates worked on during their master and doctoral program. This is an exploratory, descriptive, retrospective study, using documental analysis. The study population consisted of 250 graduates, 169 of which were masters and 81 doctorates. The graduates' profile permitted to identify and discuss on the retention rate for the doctorate; the type of institution that absorbs the master and doctorate graduate and the fields they work in.

Using technological innovation as a tool to monitor nursing workers' health. / A inovação tecnológica como ferramenta para monitoramento da saúde dos trabalhadores de enfermagem.

The objective of the present study is to describe the development of the "Monitoring System for Nursing Workers' Health" software, a technological innovation designed to identify the health hazards caused to nursing workers' and their determinants, i.e., strain and/or strength potentials, monitoring their health using indicators. The software development comprises the phases of defining the objective, chosing the thoeoretical framework, organizing the content, and developing the system's architecture. It is important to socialize this process with researchers, managers, and workers interested in this subject, because monitoring the health of nursing workers is indispensible when planning strategies to minimize the occurrence of accidents and occupational illnesses, promoting better working conditions and improving their quality of life.

Burnout among nurses: a multicentric comparative study.

OBJETIVO: to identify and compare burnout levels between Portuguese, Spanish and Brazilian nurses. METHOD: quantitative, descriptive, correlational, comparative and cross-sectional study conducted using a sample of 1,052 nurses working in hospitals and primary care centers. A sociodemographic questionnaire and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were applied to nurses in Porto, Portugal (n=306), Oviedo, Spain (n=269) and S. Paulo, Brazil (n=477). Data analysis was performed using descriptive, inferential and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: approximately 42% of the nurses showed moderate/high levels of burnout, with no differences found between countries (Portugal and Brazil 42%, Spain 43%). Only depersonalization showed differences between countries, presenting Spain the highest level and Portugal the lowest one. Comparative analysis showed higher burnout levels in young nurses and those working by shifts. Considering job schedules, burnout was associated to shift work in Portugal, while in Spain and Brazil it was associated with fixed schedules. CONCLUSION: these results suggest that this syndrome among nurses is a global phenomenon. The daily stressors and higher demands of the nursing profession are crucial in the preparation of nurses to deal with complex situations, to avoid burnout, and to reduce the negative impact on nurses' health and on the quality of care they provide.

Translation, adaptation and validation of the "Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability (CUPID) Questionnaire" for use in Brazil.

The paper describes the adaptation and testing of the Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability Questionnaire for use in Portuguese. The cross-cultural adaptation followed the steps of translation, back-translation, evaluation of the translations by a committee of judges, and then piloting of the pre-final version. This was performed in a sample of 40 nursing staff from the Hospital at the University of São Paulo. Adjustments were made after review of the translations by the committee of judges (CVI ≤ 80%). The pilot study was used to test whether questions could be satisfactorily understood and completed (≥ 85% of subjects). The Brazilian version of the Questionnaire is an adequate instrument for the ascertainment of occupational activities, psychosocial aspects of work, musculoskeletal symptoms and associated disabilities in nursing staff.

[The feelings experienced after occupational exposure among health care workers: fulcrum approach to work in health institutions]. / Os sentimentos vivenciados após exposição ocupacional entre trabalhadores de saúde: fulcro para repensar o trabalho em instituições de saúde.

This study aimed at capturing the psychosocial feelings and perceptions health workers face after accidents with biological material, identifying the difficulties to accomplish the follow-up. This qualitative research with intentional sample of 15 health workers was carried out. The fear was the first expressed feeling. The fear the health worker feels is related to his/her attributions, potentiates the development of stressing situations in work setting and trigger psychic suffering. The feeling of anger and outbreak appear in the discourses face the workers' indignity. Another feeling is guilty for triggering the accident. This finding allows recommending organizational restructuring proposals as well as in the behavior of workers in the dynamics of work.

Knowledge and power necessary to reconstruct nursing after management changes at a teaching hospital.

This study was carried out at a teaching hospital in Southern Brazil, which adopted a management model that provoked the dismantling of the nursing service and the disbandment of nursing professionals. Its general goal was to promote changes that would be implemented in the re-organization of nursing work. It is a case study with a historical-dialectic approach, whose data were collected in March and April 2005 through the focal group technique. The study subjects were eight nurses, two technicians and two nursing auxiliaries. Data were analyzed through thematic content analysis. Results evidenced that the greatest challenges nursing faced at this hospital were: to construct a new identity, carry out teamwork while maintaining its professional identity, acquire visibility in the institution, change care and expand management.

Presenteeism and musculoskeletal symptoms among nursing professionals.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in two stages (before and after six months of the first stage) and its association with presenteeism among nursing professionals. METHOD: longitudinal study with quantitative data conducted in a Brazilian teaching hospital with 211 nursing professionals. The instruments used for data collection were: Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability - CUPID Questionnaire, used to identify the musculoskeletal symptoms and the Stanford Presenteeism Scale, used to verify presenteeism. The instruments were validated for Brazilian Portuguese. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee. Descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney test and regression analysis were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: 158 (74.9%) professionals experienced presenteeism and 151 (71.6%) reported low back pain as musculoskeletal symptom. Professionals with low back pain had lower scores on the presenteeism scale and shoulder pain was related to loss of concentration during work. CONCLUSION: presenteeism lead to a reduction in work performance and was manifested in the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms. In addition, shoulder pain caused loss of concentration at work.

Absenteeism due to musculoskeletal disorders in Brazilian workers: thousands days missed at work. / Absenteísmo por distúrbios musculoesqueléticos em trabalhadores do Brasil: milhares de dias de trabalho perdidos.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the absenteeism of Brazilian workers notified with musculoskeletal disorders, from 2007 to 2012. METHODS: This is a quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive study, including retrospective and secondary data. The records came from the Information System of Notifiable Diseases, which notifies workers on a social security system, as well as informal workers. The study lasted for six years. We analyzed sociodemographic, work organization and injury variables. RESULTS: There were approximately 5 million working days lost for 18,611 workers who were notified and removed from the position. The groups that stood out in the analysis were the illiterate people, in the age group of 50 to 59 years, with daily working hours higher than 6 hours, from the great occupational group 4, the ICD-10 M50 and M51, and workers with mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS: High absenteeism among workers with musculoskeletal disorders, illiterate, aged from 50 to 59 years, administrative service workers, ICD-10 M51 and workers with mental disorders. It is necessary to outline public policies that contemplate the absenteeism caused by the disease, in order to reduce morbidity, as well as the socioeconomic losses.

Work process of nursing professors.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the work process of nursing professors. METHOD: descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study, developed with a focus on critical epidemiology, carried out at a School of Nursing in Chile. The research subjects consist of 17 nursing professors, with whom individual semi-structured interviews were carried out and nine participated in a focus group. The Ethics Committee approved this study. RESULTS: 88.2% were female, mean age of 42 years, 47% were married, 94% were Chilean, average length of service in the institution of 2.8 years, and 23.5% had a master's degree. Regarding the work process, the students were the work object, the tools used were the knowledge and the experience as a nurse, and the work environment was considered good. Regarding the form of work organization, 76% have a 44-hour workweek, the wage was considered inadequate and the workload was higher than foreseen in the contract. The dialectic of the nursing work process is evidenced, demonstrating the contradiction between the low wages and labor overload and the narratives reporting a good work environment, personal fulfillment and transcendence that goes far beyond work. CONCLUSIONS: the work process allows describing the work components of the nursing professors, which are consistent with the results of the literature and show the dialectic of the nursing work process.

[Study of work accidents related to human body fluids exposure among health workers at a university hospital]. / Estudo sobre os acidentes de trabalho com exposição aos líquidos corporais humanos em trabalhadores da saúde de um hospital universitário.

This descriptive and exploratory study from a quantitative approach aimed to characterize workers who were victims of work accidents related to human body fluids exposure and to evaluate the accident victim care protocol. The population consisted of 48 workers who were victims of work accidents involving exposure to human body fluids, from July 2000 to June 2001. Data were collected through a form and interviews. Results showed that nursing workers presented higher accident risk levels and that 87.50% involved piercing and cutting material, such as needles and butterflies (70%). As to the accident-related situation/activity, the workers indicated that 25% were due to an "inadequate act during the procedure"; 19.64% mentioned that "it happened" and 29.17% answered that they did not have any suggestion. This study provided important tools to review and elaborate strategies to prevent accidents involving exposure to human body fluids.

[Psychiatric nursing work and workers' health problems]. / O trabalho de enfermagem psiquiátrica e os problemas de saúde dos trabalhadores.

This study, based on social determination and the systematization by Laurell and Noriega, aims to understand the health-disease process experienced by nursing workers at a psychiatric hospital, with a view to identifying the burdens nursing workers at a psychiatric hospital are exposed to; understanding the exhaustive processes they experience and analyzing the coping strategies indicated as processes that increase quality of life at work. Data were collected through a focal group with 6 participants. Results showed that the object of work, i.e. the psychiatric patient, is seen as socially excluded. With regard to the work load, workers are exposed to all kinds of burdens, but the work load is intensified by the mental burden. Exhaustion is present in physical as well as mental terms. Workers present great mental exhaustion, due to the work conditions experienced or not, specifically because of living with the object of work.

[The organization of nursing in the HC-UFPR: reflecting about historical determinations]. / A organização da Enfermagem do HC-UFPR: refletindo sobre seus determinantes.

The present study aimed at identifying the historical determinants that influenced nursing from the HC-UFPR, and the managerial models used in its different historical moments. This is a retrospective research which data was collected by interviews with people who lived in those occasions. The data was categorized in historical periods and their respective models of organization. Afterwards the data was analyzed by the materialistic paradigm. As final results, the study shows the several stages of the nursing organization at this Hospital, according to the determinants from each historical moment and some considerations of nursing insertion in this new model.