Factors influencing the patient safety climate in intensive care units: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Measuring the patient safety climate of a health service provides important information about the safety status at a given time. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the patient safety climate in Intensive Care Units. METHODS: An analytical and cross-sectional study conducted in 2017 and 2018 in two adult Intensive Care Units of a Brazilian Teaching Hospital. The Safety Attitudes Questionnaire instrument was applied with the multidisciplinary teams to determine the factors influencing the patient safety climate. Data were double entered into a database and processed using the R (version 3.5.0) statistical software. Position, central tendency and dispersion measures were taken and absolute and relative frequencies, mean and confidence intervals were calculated for the quantitative variables. Linear regression was performed to verify the effect of variables on the SAQ domains. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 were selected for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 84 healthcare providers participated in the study. The mean Safety Attitudes Questionnaire score was 59.5, evidencing a negative climate. The following factors influenced the safety climate: time since course completion, professional category, type of employment contract, complementary professional training, and weekly workload. CONCLUSIONS: The factors identified indicate items for planning improvements in communication, teamwork, work processes, and management involvement, aiming to ensure care safety and construct a supportive safety climate.

Intermittent Catheterization and Urinary Tract Infection: A Comparative Study Between Germany and Brazil.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe and compare factors that affect urinary tract infection (UTI) rates in people with spina bifida (SB) and neurogenic bladder dysfunction before and following initiation of intermittent catheterization (IC). DESIGN: A quantitative, descriptive, correlational study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The study included people who were from Germany, a high-income nation, and Brazil, a middle-income nation. Brazilian participants were recruited from a public rehabilitation hospital in the state of Minas Gerais. German participants were drawn from different regions of the country. The study sample included 200 participants; participants were either individuals diagnosed with SB and neurogenic bladder dysfunction and using IC, or caregivers of persons using IC for bladder management. METHODS: Data were collected through a survey questionnaire developed for urological follow-up of SB patients. A translated and validated version of the form was used to collect data in Germany. To evaluate annual episodes of UTI, we considered the number of symptomatic UTI before and after IC. RESULTS: Participants from Brazil were significantly younger than German patients (median age 9 vs 20 years, P < .001). Brazilians predominately used assisted catheterization (63.0%), whereas most Germans performed self-catheterization (61.0%). Use of IC greatly reduced the incidence of UTI in both groups (mean 2.8 episodes per year before IC vs mean 1.1 episodes after starting IC, P < .001). Women had a higher number of UTI, both before and after IC, but enjoyed greater reduction in UTI after initiating IC than men. Self-catheterization also promoted a greater reduction of UTI than assisted IC (P = .022). CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent catheterization reduced annual episodes of UTI in both samples despite differences in catheterization technique. Patients practicing and performing self-catheterization achieved a greater reduction than those who relied on assisted IC. Comparative studies among additional countries with varying median income levels are needed to better understand the needs of individuals with SB and their families, and to plan and implement safe nursing interventions.

Quality of Life in Brazil's Family Health Strategy: Common Mental Disorders, Use of Psychotropic Drugs and Sociodemographic Factors.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the patients' quality of life in Brazil's Family Health Strategy and its association with sociodemographic factors, presence of common mental disorders, and use of psychotropic drugs. Were interviewed 442 patients. Tools were: World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-Bref and Self Reporting Questionnaire. Male and low education were strongly associated with higher quality of life. Use of psychotropic drugs and the presence of CMD were strongly associated with poor quality of life. There is a pressing need for primary health care professionals to invest in tracking, and in holistic interventions that are able to cover the healthcare needs of these vulnerable groups.

Factors Associated With Psychotropic Medication Use in Individuals in Brazilian Primary Health Care Units: A Descriptive, Cross-Sectional Study.

The current descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the rate of psychotropic medication use and its association with sociodemographic factors, pharmacotherapy, health history, and presence of common mental disorders in individuals in Brazilian primary health care (PHC) units. A sample of 442 individuals was interviewed in 10 PHC units. Tools used included a structured questionnaire and the Self Reporting Questionnaire-20. The rate of psychotropic medication use was 38.7%. Demographic characteristics associated with psychotropic medication use were age 60 or older with common mental disorders and physical illness, a primary-level education or less, no occupation, and family income greater than three times the minimum wage. The strongest predictor of psychotropic medication use was monthly family income. The results highlight the need for interventions to improve patient outcomes. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55(3), 38-45.].

Applying an ecological restoration approach to study patient safety culture in an intensive care unit.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To gain an understanding of medication safety culture and other quality issues in a Brazilian intensive care unit using a restorative approach. BACKGROUND: Patient safety should be considered one of the pillars of quality in health care. Thus, patient safety culture is increasingly being explored as a guide for quality improvement efforts. DESIGN: A qualitative approach. METHODS: Participatory photographic research methods from the field of ecological restoration were adapted in this study. This study used focus groups, then subsequent nurse-led photo-narrated walkabouts, and photo elicitation with 23 nurses and one physician in interactive phases of data collection and analysis over an eight-month timeframe. RESULTS: The core themes identified were: the 'medication system shapes patient safety' and the 'feeling of helplessness in the face of the prevailing organization culture'. Participants discussed supports exiting in the intensive care unit that shape medication safety, the barriers that impede safe medication management, the solutions to improve medication safety and the creation of a better medication safety culture. CONCLUSIONS: The methods used allowed participants to visualise sound practices as well as key safety issues, reflect on their day-to-day work, re-think potential improvements, and enact changes to improve medication safety and medication safety culture. However, the patient safety culture is also marked by administrative pressure. The hospital needs to adopt participatory management, where the health professionals can act together with the organisational leaders to promote a just culture. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The participatory photographic research methods from the field of ecological restoration provided participants with a tool to promote patient safety culture and engage policy change dialogue. However, it will be important in future restorative research to track-specific safety outcomes over time to assess the cost-benefit of the adoption of participatory management models.

Nursing Assessment Tool for People With Liver Cirrhosis.

The aim of this study was to describe the process of developing a nursing assessment tool for hospitalized adult patients with liver cirrhosis. A descriptive study was carried out in three stages. First, we conducted a literature review to develop a data collection tool on the basis of the Conceptual Model of Wanda Horta. Second, the data collection tool was assessed through an expert panel. Third, we conducted the pilot testing in hospitalized patients. Most of the comments offered by the panel members were accepted to improve the tool. The final version was in the form of a questionnaire with open-closed questions. The panel members concluded that the tool was useful for accurate nursing diagnosis. Horta's Conceptual Model assisted with the development of this data collection tool to help nurses identify accurate nursing diagnosis in hospitalized patients with liver cirrhosis. We hope that the tool can be used by all nurses in clinical practice.

Engaging nurses to strengthen medication safety: Fostering and capturing change with restorative photographic research methods.

We used participatory photographic research methods adapted from the field of ecological restoration to engage Brazilian intensive care unit nurses in a critical review of medication safety in their work environment. Using focus groups, practitioner-led photo walkabouts with photo narration, and photo elicitation focus groups in iterative phases of data collection and analysis, nurses developed and implemented several practical and cultural improvements for their unit. Participants focussed on organizing the medication room for efficient workflow and accessible supplies, improving reporting practices, and reconsidering how they could manage safety issues in their unit and in the hospital as a whole. Our results demonstrated that restorative photographic research methods enabled participants to (re)think and redesign their work environment in keeping with several recommended practices for improving medication management. It also validated the need for continuous evidence-informed improvements if nurses hope to optimize medication safety in the complex systems of intensive care.

Development of Automated Triggers in Ambulatory Settings in Brazil: Protocol for a Machine Learning-Based Design Thinking Study.

BACKGROUND: The use of technologies has had a significant impact on patient safety and the quality of care and has increased globally. In the literature, it has been reported that people die annually due to adverse events (AEs), and various methods exist for investigating and measuring AEs. However, some methods have a limited scope, data extraction, and the need for data standardization. In Brazil, there are few studies on the application of trigger tools, and this study is the first to create automated triggers in ambulatory care. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop a machine learning (ML)-based automated trigger for outpatient health care settings in Brazil. METHODS: A mixed methods research will be conducted within a design thinking framework and the principles will be applied in creating the automated triggers, following the stages of (1) empathize and define the problem, involving observations and inquiries to comprehend both the user and the challenge at hand; (2) ideation, where various solutions to the problem are generated; (3) prototyping, involving the construction of a minimal representation of the best solutions; (4) testing, where user feedback is obtained to refine the solution; and (5) implementation, where the refined solution is tested, changes are assessed, and scaling is considered. Furthermore, ML methods will be adopted to develop automated triggers, tailored to the local context in collaboration with an expert in the field. RESULTS: This protocol describes a research study in its preliminary stages, prior to any data gathering and analysis. The study was approved by the members of the organizations within the institution in January 2024 and by the ethics board of the University of São Paulo and the institution where the study will take place. in May 2024. As of June 2024, stage 1 commenced with data gathering for qualitative research. A separate paper focused on explaining the method of ML will be considered after the outcomes of stages 1 and 2 in this study. CONCLUSIONS: After the development of automated triggers in the outpatient setting, it will be possible to prevent and identify potential risks of AEs more promptly, providing valuable information. This technological innovation not only promotes advances in clinical practice but also contributes to the dissemination of techniques and knowledge related to patient safety. Additionally, health care professionals can adopt evidence-based preventive measures, reducing costs associated with AEs and hospital readmissions, enhancing productivity in outpatient care, and contributing to the safety, quality, and effectiveness of care provided. Additionally, in the future, if the outcome is successful, there is the potential to apply it in all units, as planned by the institutional organization. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/55466.

Patient safety culture in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in a hospital.

OBJECTIVES: to assess patient safety culture during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify the dimensions that need to be improved in hospital settings and which sector, open or closed, direct or indirect care, exhibits a higher level of safety culture. METHODS: a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The validated version for Brazil of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture instrument was applied to assess patient safety culture. Those dimensions with 75% positive responses were considered strengthened. RESULTS: all dimensions presented results lower than 75% of positive responses. Closed sectors showed a stronger safety culture compared to open ones. Indirect care sectors had a low general perception of patient safety when compared to direct care sectors. CONCLUSIONS: with the pandemic, points of weakness became even more evident, requiring attention and incisive interventions from the institution's leaders.

Polypharmacy and high-alert medications in patients with nasally placed feeding tube on admission and at hospital discharge: Multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Polypharmacy and the use of high-alert medications in patients with nasally placed feeding tube (NPFT) increase the risks of drug related problems. Objective: Characterize drugs prescribed to patients with NPFT and compare the rates of polypharmacy and high-alert medication use at admission and hospital discharge. Design and setting: Multicenter cross-sectional study with 327 participants. Methods: Data of patients with NPFT were obtained from the medical records and recorded in an electronic data collection tool. Mean number of drugs, polypharmacy and number of high-alert medications prescribed on admission and at discharge were compared using Wilcoxon or McNemar's tests. Generalized Estimating Equations analyzed the relationship between polypharmacy and high-alert medications according to age and time point. Primary reason for hospital admission, level of consciousness, severity of comorbid diseases and patient care complexity were also assessed. Results: Most patients were male, older people, hospitalized for circulatory system diseases and had at least one comorbidity. On admission, a significant number of patients were alert (59.9%), at high risk for death (43.1%) and high dependent on nursing care (35.4%). Additionally, 92% patients were on polypharmacy on admission, versus 84.7% at hospital discharge (p = 0,0011). The occurrence of polypharmacy was independent of age (p = 0.2377). >17% of all drugs prescribed were high-alert medications, with no statistically significant difference between admission and discharge (p = 0,3957). There was no statistical evidence that the use of high-alert medications increases with age (n = 0,5426). Conclusions: These results support the planning of multidisciplinary qualified actions for patients using NPFT.

Agreement Between Epigastric Auscultation and pH Measurement in the Confirmation of Nasoenteral Tube Placement.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between epigastric auscultation and pH measurement in the confirmation of nasoenteral tube placement. METHOD: A cross-sectional study carried out in a medium-sized private hospital in the interior of the state of São Paulo. Forty-nine patients who were submitted to ninety insertion procedures and confirmation of tube placement. aimed at evaluating the agreement of clinical methods used by nurses to confirm the positioning of a nasoenteral tube inserted blindly at the bedside, by measuring the parameters of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. RESULTS: The epigastric auscultation was the method that presented the highest sensitivity (100.0%), but lower specificity (2.0%). The measurement of the pH presented lower sensitivity (63.0%) than the auscultation, however, higher specificity (58%). Moreover, the positive predictive value of the pH measurement was 55% and the negative predictive value was 66%. There was no agreement between the epigastric auscultation and the pH measurement with the radiography. CONCLUSION: The pH measurement did not allow for distinguishing between gastric and enteric positioning, due to the similarity of the esophageal and pulmonary pH with the pH of the intestine. Furthermore, external factors such as the use of medication and reduced fasting time may interfere with the pH value.

Nursing interventions to prevent corneal injury in critically ill sedated and mechanically ventilated patients: A systematic review of interventions.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effectiveness of interventions to prevent corneal injury in critically ill, sedated, and mechanically ventilated patients. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: A systematic review of intervention studies was conducted in the following electronic databases: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, LIVIVO, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Study selection and data extraction were performed by two independent reviewers. Quality assessment of the randomized and non-randomized studies was performed using the Risk of Bias (RoB 2.0) and ROBINS-I Cochrane tools, respectively, and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies. The certainty of the evidence was assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. RESULTS: 15 studies were included. Meta-analysis showed that the risk of corneal injury in the lubricants group was 66% lower (RR = 0.34; 95 %CI: 0.13-0.92) than in the eye-taping group. The risk of corneal injury in the polyethylene chamber was 68% lower than in the eye ointment group (RR = 0.32; 95 %CI 0.07-1.44). The risk of bias was low in most of the studies included and the certainty of the evidence was evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The most effective interventions to prevent corneal injury in critically ill sedated mechanically ventilated, who have compromised blinking and eyelid closing mechanisms, are ocular lubrication, preferably gel or ointment, and protection of the corneas with a polyethylene chamber. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Critically ill, sedated, and mechanically ventilated patients who have compromised blinking and eyelid closing mechanisms must receive interventions to prevent corneal injury. Ocular lubrication, preferably gel or ointment, and protection of the corneas with a polyethylene chamber were the most effective interventions to prevent corneal injury in critically ill, sedated, and mechanically ventilated patients. A polyethylene chamber must be made commercially available for critically ill, sedated, and mechanically ventilated patients.

Impact of a quality improvement programme on the preparation and administration of medications via a nasoenteral feeding tube: 2014-2019 intervention study.

AIMS: Evaluate the impact of a quality improvement programme on the reduction of feeding tube obstruction frequencies, analyse the predictive variables of this safety incident, and estimate the economic costs related to the quality improvement programme during the period from 2014 to 2019. METHODS: Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were performed to test the changes in drug preparation and administration processes via a nasoenteral feeding tube and to evaluate the outcome, process and balance measures. Statistical control charts were elaborated, and the bottom-up direct costing methodology was used to estimate the costs of the improvement programme. The impact of the programme on the monitoring measures was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. INTERVENTIONS: The following changes were tested in the hospital participating in the study: acquisition of the Easy Crush equipment for tablet crushing, use of appropriate packaging to crush hard tablets, standardise procedures for scheduling administration times and/or substitution of the pharmaceutical form, educational activities for the nursing team and elaboration and availability of infographics for the nursing team, patients and/or family/caregivers. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the frequency of tube obstructions, from 41.1% in 2014 to 57.9% in 2015-2017 and 9.6% in 2018-2019 (p=0.0010). After the execution of the improvement programme, it was estimated that the cost of dose preparation was reduced from R$1067.50 in 2014 to R$719.80 in 2015-2017 and R$433.10 in 2015-2019. CONCLUSION: By re-establishing the processes of drug preparation and administration via a nasoenteral feeding tube, through the acquisition of appropriate equipment for crushing hard tablets, together with educational activities for the nursing team, we could observe a reduction in tube obstructions and the cost of processes.

Resilience of Healthcare Systems in the face of COVID-19: an experience report.

OBJECTIVE: to report the professional experience of a nurse manager facing the challenges of restructuring a hospital service in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: this is an experience report, based on the perspective of system resilience in a public hospital. RESULTS: the challenges faced were: internal service flow reorganization to assist suspected cases of COVID-19; institution of structural changes and adaptations, from entry into the emergency room to the wards and intensive care unit; equipment and supply acquisition for patient care with a focus on their quality and functionality; staff training, with the restructuring of work processes; staff sizing, considering the time of exposure to the virus; staff's professional qualification, absenteeism, stress, physical and psychological illness, with a view to safe and quality care; nursing staff leadership to deal with conflicts generated by professionals' stress and illness. CONCLUSION: healthcare service resilience is critical for hospital restructuring in the COVID-19 pandemic; however, patient care and healthcare professionals' physical and mental health must be considered.

Reporting Rates of Opioid-Related Adverse Events Since 1965 in Canada: A Descriptive Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic or acute/postoperative pain frequently use opioids. However, opioids may cause considerable adverse reactions (ARs), such as respiratory depression, which could be lethal. Unfortunately, only 5% of drug-related ARs (including those to opioids) are reported to health authorities. Therefore, little is known regarding the occurrence of opioid-related ARs at the population level. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate how the rates of reported opioid-related ARs have changed in Canada since 1965. METHODS: Our retrospective study examined trends of reported opioid-related ARs occurring in hospitalized and outpatients. Data on opioid-related ARs and mortality between 1965 and 2019 were obtained from the Canada Vigilance and Statistics Canada databases. Descriptive and Joinpoint regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Oxycodone and normethadone were the most and least involved opioid agents, respectively, among the 18,407 reported ARs. The highest rate of reported opioid ARs (3.8 per 100,000 person-years) was recorded in 2012, whereas the lowest was recorded in 1965 (0.1 per 100,000 person-years). Between 1965 and 2019, annual rates climbed by 4.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1-5.2), and many fluctuations were observed: 1965-1974: +22.3% (95% CI 12.0-33.6); 1974-2000: - 4.1% (95% CI - 5.3 to - 2.9); 2000-2008: +30.3% (95% CI 22.6-38.4); 2008-2014: +4.1% (95% CI - 1.5 to 10.1); 2014-2017: -26.0% (95% CI - 44.7 to - 0.9); and, finally, 2017-2019: +35.4% (95% CI 3.8-76.7). CONCLUSION: Reported opioid-related ARs have increased since 1965, although fluctuations were observed in recent decades. The absolute number of opioid-related ARs might be seriously underestimated. Future studies should look into how to close this gap.

Adherence to safety barriers in medication administration: patients' perception.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the perception of patients about health professionals' adherence to safety barriers in medication administration. METHOD: cross-sectional and correlational study carried out in a hospital in the countryside of São Paulo, with a total of 249 adult patients admitted to the medical clinic. An electronic form developed by the researcher was used. Quantitative variables were analyzed in mean, median and standard deviation. Likert-type variables were calculated according to the perception score and the Bayesian Information criterion was used. The cutoff point for positive assessment of the patients' perception was 0.75. RESULTS: the average perception score was 0.29 and, of the 15 barriers analyzed, eight are never adhered by professionals, in the opinion of most patients. Also, age was the only variable with statistical significance. CONCLUSION: the younger the patient, the better their perception of health professionals' adherence to safety barriers in medication administration.

Contribution of an instructional module for lymph node evaluation: An experiment.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the contribution of an instructional module identifying the number and characteristics of lymph nodes by undergraduate nursing students. METHOD: an experimental, randomized, controlled and masked study using an instructional module for intervention. The 68 students who made up the control group or the experimental group performed the prototype lymph node palpation in the initial and final phases, following the free registration of the characteristics and number of these structures. Between the phases, the instructional module (palpation prototype and a registration guide instrument) was applied to the experimental group. Descriptive statistics and mixed linear regression were used for analysis. RESULTS: the experimental group showed greater accuracy (p<0.05) in the evaluation of the size, consistency, mobility and coalescence of the lymph nodes in the final phase when compared to the control; it also showed more chances to correctly evaluate the consistency ( OR 45,26; 95% CI<7,74>‡<264.54> p<0.0001), mobility (OR 55.95; CI 95% 12.45 - 251.60; p<0.0001) and size (OR 25.64; CI 95% 3.92 - 160.2; p=0.0002) of the lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: the results reinforce the contribution of the instructional module to increase the knowledge of nursing students about the evaluation of lymph nodes.

Nasogastric/nasoenteric tube-related adverse events: an integrative review.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze in the scientific literature the evidence on nasogastric/nasoenteric tube related adverse events in adult patients. METHOD: integrative literature review through the search of publications in journals indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, EMBASE and Scopus, and hand searching, was undertaken up to April 2017. RESULTS: the sample consisted of 69 primary studies, mainly in English and published in the USA and UK. They were divided in two main categories and subcategories: the first category refers to Mechanical Adverse Events (respiratory complications; esophageal or pharyngeal complications; tube obstruction; intestinal perforation; intracranial perforation and unplanned tube removal) and the second alludes to Others (pressure injury related to fixation and misconnections). Death was reported in 16 articles. CONCLUSION: nasogastric/nasoenteric tube related adverse events are relatively common and the majority involved respiratory harm that resulted in increased hospitalization and/or death. The results may contribute to healthcare professionals, especially nurses, to develop an evidence-based guideline for insertion and correct positioning of bedside enteral tubes in adult patients.

Factors associated with bronchopulmonary aspiration: a national-based study.

OBJECTIVES: to determine the prevalence of bronchopulmonary aspiration in the Brazilian scenario, the factors associated with the incident and the variables associated with death. METHODS: a cross-sectional and analytical study, carried out from analysis of notifications of incidents related to bronchopulmonary aspiration of the Health Surveillance Notification System, from January 2014 to December 2018. RESULTS: of the 264,590 notifications, 553 referred to aspiration, whose prevalence rate was 0.21%. There was an association between the event and age, ethnicity, main medical diagnosis, country region, service type, health unit and consequences for patients. Furthermore, four independent predictor variables for death were found: living in the North or South regions, being elderly and receiving healthcare at night. CONCLUSIONS: the prevalence rate of bronchopulmonary aspiration was small, but with a negative impact on patients.

Risk factors for death due to COVID-19, in the state of Acre, Brazil, 2020: a retrospective cohort study. / Fatores de risco para óbito por COVID-19 no Acre, 2020: coorte retrospectiva.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze risk factors for death in individuals with severe acute respiratory syndrome due to COVID-19. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study, comprised of adult individuals with COVID-19, from March to September 2020, notified by the Epidemiological Surveillance System in the state of Acre, Brazil. Cox regression was used. RESULTS: Among 57,700 individuals analyzed, the incidence was 2,765.4/100,000 inhabitants, and mortality was, 61.8/100,000 inhabitants. The risk factors for death were: being male (HR=1.48 -95% CI 1.25;1.76), age ≥60 years (HR=10.64 -95% CI 8.84;12.81), symptom of dyspnea (HR=4.20 -95% CI 3.44;5.12) and multimorbidity (HR=2.23 -95% CI 1.77;2.81), with emphasis on heart disease and diabetes mellitus. 'Sore throat' and 'headache' were symptoms present in mild cases of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Being male, elderly, having heart disease, diabetes mellitus and dyspnea were characteristics associated with death due to COVID-19.