Infrastructure for hand hygiene in a teaching hospital. / Infraestrutura para higienização das mãos em um hospital universitário.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hospital infrastructure and the knowledge of the coordinators about the unit structure for hand hygiene. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional design study carried out in a teaching hospital in the South of Brazil, in the period between December 2016 and January 2017. Eighteen inpatient care units were evaluated, and 16 coordinators were interviewed. We used the questionnaire of the World Health Organization multimodal strategy on the structure of the units for hand hygiene. It was used descriptive statistics. RESULTS: All the units had alcohol-based sanitizers, and 93.8% of the dispensers were substituted when they got empty. The difficulties observed were the lack of illustrating posters, the location of sinks and dispensers of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in some nursing infirmarys, and the fact that there were few dispensers at hand reach near the patient's bed. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that there were protocols for hand hygiene, and professionals were instructed about it. There were gaps in the inpatient units, such as the presence of inadequate sinks and taps.

Applicability of the adapted Moral Distress Scale in the context of nursing in hemato-oncology services. / Aplicabilidade da Moral Distress Scale adaptada no cenário da enfermagem em hemato-oncologia.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the applicability of the adapted Moral Distress Scale in the nursing setting of the hemato-oncology sector of a university hospital. METHOD: Cross-sectional study conducted with 46 nursing workers of a university hospital in the southern region of Brazil with data collected between December 2014 and March 2015 by means of the adapted Moral Distress Scale. Factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Factor analysis resulted in a group of 26 questions validated based on three factors: Lack of Competence in the Team, Denial of the Nursing Role as the Patient's Advocate, and Disrespect for the Patient's Autonomy. Cronbach's alpha of the instrument was 0.98. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the adapted Moral Distress Scale is an appropriate instrument for the identification of moral distress in nursing workers in the hemato-oncology area.

Patient safety in the understanding of health care students. / Segurança do paciente na compreensão de estudantes da área da saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the understanding of graduate health care students on patient safety. METHOD: Descriptive cross study, held in 2015 with 638 students at the Health Sciences Center of the Federal University of Santa Maria, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The study used a questionnaire with variables related to the characterization of students, the conceptual and attitudinal aspects of human error and patient safety, made available online in the Student Portal. RESULTS: A higher percentage of students reported having no formal training on the subject. The study revealed aspects conside4red fundamental to the safety culture, such as the importance of systemic error analysis, the concern with the work environment and appreciation of teamwork. Some attitudes demonstrated uncertainty in the correct way of acting. CONCLUSION: Students showed perceptions that were favorable to patient safety. The formalization of the subject at different levels of education is needed.

Prevalence and factors associated with minor psychiatric disorders in hospital housekeeping workers.

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the prevalence and factors associated with minor psychiatric disorders (MPDs) in Hospital housekeeping workers. METHOD: A cross-sectional study carried out in 2013 with workers from the cleaning service of a public university hospital in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected through a form containing sociodemographic, occupational, habits and health variables. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20 was used in order to evaluate MPDs. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 161 workers. The overall prevalence of suspected MPD was 29.3%. The chances of suspected MPDs were higher in workers with Effort-Reward Imbalance, those who did not have time or who occasionally had time for leisure activities, and those taking medications. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MPDs was similar to that found in the literature for health workers. Therefore, we consider it important to include these workers in institutional programs for continuing health education. OBJETIVO: Investigar a prevalência e os fatores associados aos Distúrbios Psíquicos Menores (DPMs) em trabalhadores do Serviço Hospitalar de Limpeza. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal, realizado em 2013, com trabalhadores do serviço de limpeza de um hospital universitário público do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um formulário contendo variáveis sociodemográficas, laborais, hábitos e saúde. Para avaliação dos DPMs utilizou-se do Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20. RESULTADOS: A população do estudo foi composta pelos 161 trabalhadores. A prevalência global para suspeição de DPM foi de 29,3%. As chances de suspeição de DPMs foram maiores nos trabalhadores em Desequilíbrio Esforço-Recompensa, nos que não tinham ou às vezes tinham tempo para o lazer e naqueles que faziam uso de medicação. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de DPMs assemelhou-se à encontrada na literatura em trabalhadores da área saúde. Portanto, considera-se importante a inclusão desses trabalhadores em programas institucionais de educação permanente em saúde.

Aging as a predictor of nursing workload in Intensive Care Unit: results from a Brazilian Sample.

OBJECTIVE: Verify if aging is an independent predictor of NW in ICU, according to age groups, and its predictive value as a determinant of NW in ICU. METHODS: Study was conducted from 2012 to 2016. A convenience sample composed by patients (age ≥ 18) admitted to nine ICU belonging to a Brazilian hospital, was analyzed. Age was assumed as an independent variable and NW (measured by the Nursing Activities Score - NAS) as dependent. Linear regression model and ROC curve were used for the analysis. RESULTS: 890 participants (361 older people), mostly males (58.1%). The mean NAS score was higher among older participants in comparison to adults (p=0.004) but not within categories of aging (p=0.697). Age was responsible for 0.6% of NAS score. Each year of age increases NAS score in 0.081 points (p=0.015). However, age was not a good predictor of NAS score (AUC = 0.394; p=0.320). CONCLUSION: The care of older people in ICU is associated with an increase in NW, compared to adults. Aging can be considered an associated factor but not a good predictor of NW in ICU. OBJETIVO: Verificar si el envejecimiento es un predictor independiente de la Carga de Trabajo de Enfermería (CTE) en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI), según grupos etarios y su valor predictivo como determinante de la CTE en la UCI. MÉTODOS: Se analizó una muestra de conveniencia compuesta por pacientes (edad ≥ 18) ingresados en nueve UCI pertenecientes a un hospital brasileño. La edad se asumió como variable independiente y como variable dependiente la carga de trabajo de enfermería -medida por el sistema Nursing Activities Score (NAS) de puntuación de actividades de enfermería. Para el análisis, se utilizaron el modelo de regresión lineal y la curva ROC. RESULTADOS: 890 participantes (361 adultos mayores), en su mayoría varones (58,1%). La puntuación NAS promedio fue mayor entre los participantes adultos mayores en comparación con los adultos (p=0,004), pero no en las categorías de envejecimiento (p=0,697). La edad fue responsable del 0,6% de la puntuación NAS. Cada año de edad aumenta la puntuación NAS en 0,081 puntos (p=0,015). Sin embargo, la edad no resultó un buen predictor de la puntuación NAS (AbC=0,394; p=0,320). CONCLUSIÓN: El cuidado de los adultos mayores en UCI se asocia con un aumento de la CTE en comparación con los adultos. El envejecimiento puede considerarse un factor asociado, pero no un buen predictor de la CTE en UCI.

Stress, coping and burnout among Intensive Care Unit nursing staff: associated factors. / Estresse, coping e burnout da Equipe de Enfermagem de Unidades de Terapia Intensiva: fatores associados.

Objective To investigate emotional stress, coping and burnout among nursing staff and their association with biosocial factors and characteristics of work in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Method This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in eight ICUs at a teaching hospital in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in October 2012. Biosocial data and information about the professionals' work was gathered, and they were given the Scale of Occupational Stress, Scale of Occupational Coping, List of Signs and Symptoms of Stress and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results The study sample consisted of 287 subjects, predominately women, with partners and children. Most professionals presented moderate stress levels and control as a coping strategy (74.47% and 79.93%, respectively), and burnout was present among 12.54%. Factors associated with stress were related to working conditions. The most prevalent protective factors were having a partner, working in the clinical ICU and liking work, while adequate amount of sleep was a protective factor for burnout. Conclusion Control of the working environment and adequate sleep are decisive and protective factors in dealing with situations of occupational stress.

Patient safety in Intensive Care Units: development of a research project. / Segurança do paciente em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva: desenvolvimento de um projeto de pesquisa.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience in the many processes involved in the development of a Project on Research into Intensive Care Unit Patient Safety. METHOD: Mixed design study: historic cohort study of the collection of data on patients and on adverse events/incidents and transversal design on the collection of data on a nursing team. The data were collected over a period of 90 days in 2012 at the Instituto Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina of the Universidade de São Paulo (ICHC-FMUSP)and the University Hospital of the Universidade de São Paulo HU-USP).Procedures carried out: This study involved a number of stages: application of the Nursing Activities Score (NAS) at the ICHC-FMUSP, creation of a database system, hospital record inputs, monitor training, patient data extraction and load, collection of data during duty shift changes, and records. Final considerations : Training, researcher commitment, and collaboration with IT (Information Technology) professionals were crucial to the quality of the results obtained and of scientific production achieved. We hope that our report will serve to guide and encourage researchers to carry out complex surveys contributing to improve nursing and health knowledge.

Nursing workload: is it a predictor of healthcare associated infection in intensive care unit? / Carga de trabalho de enfermagem: preditor de infecção relacionada à assistência à saúde na terapia intensiva?

Objective To analyze the influence of nursing workload on the occurrence of healthcare associated infection (HAI) in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), according to type of treatment. Method Retrospective cohort study developed in nine ICUs in São Paulo, Brazil, from September to December 2012. Nursing workload was measured by the Nursing Activities Score (NAS). The Student's t and Fisher's exact tests and logistic regressions were used in the analyses. Results The sample was composed of 835 patients (54.3±17.3 years; 57.5% male), of which 12.5% acquired HAI in the ICU. The NAS of the patients admitted for clinical treatment was 71.3±10.9, and for surgery 71.6±9.2. Length of stay in ICU and severity were predictive factors for occurrence of HAI in patients admitted to the unit for clinical or surgical treatment, and male sex only for surgical patients. When considering the admissions independent of type of treatment, in addition to the variables mentioned above, index of comorbidities also remained in the regression model. The NAS was not a predictive factor of HAI. Conclusion Nursing workload did not influence occurrence of HAI in the patients included in this study.

Association between Moral Distress and Burnout Syndrome in university-hospital nurses.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the association between moral distress and Burnout Syndrome among nurses in a university hospital. METHOD: descriptive, analytical study conducted with 269 nurses working in a university hospital located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Data were collected in person in 2019 by previously trained collectors. A sociodemographic and employment questionnaire, the Brazilian Scale of Moral Distress in Nurses and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were applied. Descriptive and analytical statistical analysis was used. RESULTS: an association was identified between moral distress intensity and frequency and its dimensions with Burnout Syndrome and its dimensions. Nurses with low professional achievement and high emotional exhaustion showed a higher prevalence of moral distress. CONCLUSION: an association between moral distress and Burnout Syndrome, as well as between their dimensions, was evidenced. The results suggest the need to investigate urgent interventions to mitigate the situations and manifestations of moral distress and Burnout Syndrome by developing strategies for workers' health.

Nurses' assessment of the ethical climate of a university hospital in the South of Brazil.

Background: Ethical climate can be defined as the healthcare professionals' perceptions of the ethical treatment of healthcare issues and human interactions in their work environment. A number of studies on ethical climate are being carried out in several countries. In Brazil, however, research on the matter is still incipient, especially among hospital nurses. Aim: To assess nurses' perception of the ethical climate in a university hospital in the South of Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with 269 nurses from a university hospital, using a sociodemographic and occupational profiling survey and the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey - Brazilian version. Data analysis was done through descriptive statistics. Results: The nurses' perception of the ethical climate was positive (3.68 ± 0.55). Among the five assessment factors, 'peers' had the highest score (4.07 ± 0.57), whereas 'physicians' had the lowest score (3.26 ± 0.70) for ethical climate. Conclusion: In general, the ethical climate was perceived as positive, with small variations between the factors of the instrument. Ethical climate could be enhanced through strategies that encourage interpersonal relationships. This study shows the importance of a positive ethical climate based on good relationships between healthcare professionals for ensuring better care.

Burnout, ethical climate and work organization in covid-19 intensive care units: mixed method study.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the association between burnout and the perception of the ethical climate in nursing professionals in the covid-19 Intensive Care Unit and the relationship with the organization of work from the perspective of managers of these units. METHODS: mixed method study conducted in three university hospitals in southern Brazil from December 2021 to March 2022. A cross-sectional study was developed with 110 nursing professionals, followed by an exploratory-descriptive study through semi-structured interviews with six managers. Descriptive and analytical statistics and discursive textual analysis were used. RESULTS: the prevalence of burnout was 10% and the perception of negative ethical climate was 24.5%. The association between burnout and ethical climate revealed overload and fatigue during working hours, related to tension, fear, and stress that emerged from the consequences of the organization and relations of work in the covid-19 Intensive Care Unit. CONCLUSIONS: there was an association between burnout and ethical climate and elements of the work organization.

[Nursing allocation and adverse events/incidents in intensive care units]. / Alocação da equipe de enfermagem e ocorrência de eventos adversos/incidentes em unidade de terapia intensiva.

Patient safety is a challenge for the quality in health care system. This study aimed to analyze the appropriateness of the allocation of nursing staff according to the hours of care required by patients and to identify the relationship between this allocation and adverse events/incidents (EA/I). This research was observational, descriptive and prospective, developed in Clinics ICU located in the 4th floor and 6th floor at a university hospital, in São Paulo, Brazil, from 01/11/07 to 10/12/07, with 46 patients. In the 4th floor and 6th floor ICU, respectively, 43,3% and 10.3% of allocations were inadequate (p=0.000). There was a difference in the frequency of EA/I between the adequate and inadequate allocation of nursing staff in the 4th floor and 6th floor ICU, p=0.0004 and p=0.000, respectively. It was concluded that the greater the difference between available and required hours of care in nursing allocations, the lower the frequency of EA/I.

Patient safety culture and incidents recorded during nursing shift changes in intensive care units. / Cultura de segurança do paciente e incidentes registrados durante as passagens de plantão de enfermagem em unidades de terapia intensiva.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of patient safety culture perceived by nursing professionals with incidents recorded during nursing shifts in intensive care units. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that investigated patient safety culture measured by the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture instrument. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Student's t-test and multiple linear regression models were analyzed considering a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The study reported a mean of 3.1 (standard deviation of 0.4) for the culture of patient safety in the perception of nursing professionals and 480 incidents with and without damage recorded during the nursing shifts. The variables patient safety culture with a difference between means of 0.543 (95%CI 0.022 - 1.065; p < 0.05) and nursing assistants with a difference between means of -0.133 (95%CI -0.192 - -0.074; p < 0.05) were associated with the incidents recorded during the nursing shifts. Further, nursing assistants had a lower tendency to record incidents than did the nurses. CONCLUSION: The strengthening of the patient safety culture and the aspects tangential to the nursing professionals represent a possible target for interventions to encourage the recording of incidents during the nursing shift shifts and improve patient safety.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação da cultura de segurança do paciente na percepção dos profissionais de enfermagem com os incidentes registrados durante as passagens de plantão de enfermagem nas unidades de terapia intensiva. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal que investigou a cultura de segurança do paciente medida pelo instrumento Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture. Estatísticas descritivas, teste do qui-quadrado, teste t de Student e modelo de regressão linear múltiplo foram analisados considerando o nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: O estudo relatou média de 3,1 (desvio-padrão de 0,4) para a cultura de segurança do paciente na percepção dos profissionais de enfermagem e 480 incidentes com e sem danos registrados nas passagens de plantão de enfermagem. As variáveis cultura de segurança do paciente com diferença entre médias de 0,543 (IC95% 0,022 - 1,065; p < 0,05) e técnicos de enfermagem com diferença entre médias de -0,133 (IC95% -0,192 - -0,074; p < 0,05) foram associadas aos incidentes registrados nas passagens de plantão de enfermagem, considerando ainda que os técnicos de enfermagem apresentaram menor tendência de registro que os enfermeiros. CONCLUSÃO: O fortalecimento da cultura de segurança do paciente e dos aspectos tangentes aos profissionais de enfermagem representam uma possibilidade real de intervenção para favorecer os incidentes registrados durante as passagens de plantão de enfermagem nas unidades de terapia intensiva deste estudo.

Salivary cortisol concentrations in hematogy/oncology nurses on working days and days off.

OBJECTIVE: to assess salivary cortisol concentrations in hematology/oncology nurses on working days and days off. METHODS: a cross-sectional study carried out with 28 nurses from a university hospital. A sociodemographic, employment and health profile questionnaire was applied. For saliva collection, Salivette® tubes were used. Descriptive and analytical analysis was used. RESULTS: there was no significant difference in cortisol concentrations between working days and days off (p>0.05). The high cortisol concentration was associated with not having children (0.621±0.340; p=0.046), not using medication (0.623±0.133; p=0.017) and birth control pills (0.556 ± 0.228; p=0.047) and intention to leave work (0.951±0.154; p=0.001). A positive correlation was identified between cortisol and absence from work due to health issues (0.72; p=0.05) and weight gain (0.935; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: in general, cortisol concentration is within the reference parameters, with no significant difference in its secretion on working days and days off.

Caring ability of urban and rural family caregivers: association with overburden, stress and coping.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate caring ability with overburden, stress and coping of urban and rural family caregivers of patients undergoing cancer treatment. METHOD: Cross-sectional study, carried out in a referral hospital for cancer treatment, with urban and rural caregivers who responded the following instruments: questionnaire of sociodemographic characterization of the caregiver and the care provided, Perceived Stress scale, Burden Interview scale and Brief COPE. Pearson's correlation test was used for statistical analysis, with a significance level ≤5%. RESULTS: A total of 163 urban caregivers and 59 rural caregivers participated in the study. Between the caring ability and stress, a negative and moderate correlation was found in rural caregivers. In the relationship between the caring ability and the overburden, there was a statistically significant correlation in urban caregivers in the interpersonal relationship and perception of self-efficacy factor. Between coping and the caring ability, a positive and moderate correlation was identified in coping focused on the problem in the knowledge dimension in urban caregivers. CONCLUSION: Urban caregivers had greater intensity of overburden and coping focused on the problem in relation to the caring ability.

Patient safety culture in critical and non-critical areas: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: to compare the perception of patient safety culture among health workers from critical and non-critical areas. METHOD: cross-sectional study with health workers from critical and non-critical areas of a large hospital. Data collection used a characterization instrument and the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire. The analysis was performed in the Predictive Analytics Software Statistic®. RESULTS: a total of 393 workers participated, predominantly women, over 43 years old, nursing technicians, with a partner, and children. Results indicated that the areas have a negative perception of patient safety (66.5%, ±12.7 critical; 63.5%, ±14.4 non-critical). Only job satisfaction had a positive score (83.0%, ±15.9 critical; 80.1%, ±17.5 non-critical). There was a relationship between being a worker in critical areas and having a positive perception of the unit's management (p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: both areas have a negative perception of the safety culture. Although critical areas have obtained more positive evaluations, the results did not show statistical significance when compared to non-critical areas.

Educational actions on first aid for early childhood education teachers: a quasi-experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the early childhood education teachers' knowledge about first aid before and after the participation in an educational action. METHOD: Quantitative research with a quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design, carried out with 45 teachers from four early childhood education schools. For data collection, an instrument with questions regarding the characterization of the participants and knowledge about first aid was used. Data were analyzed through statistical techniques, using the Shapiro Wilk and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: There was an increase in the number of correct answers to the questions and improvement regarding grades, with an increase in the score from pre- to post-test by 5.17 points and with a significant comparison of sums. CONCLUSION: Carrying out educational actions on first aid increases the knowledge of early childhood education teachers on the subject and the nurses' role as health educators is highlighted.

Presenteeism and safety culture: evaluation of health workers in a teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVES: to verify associations between presenteeism and safety culture among health workers. METHODS: a descriptive, cross-sectional study with health workers from a teaching hospital in Rio Grande do Sul. Data collection took place through instruments of sample characterization, the Brazilian version of the Stanford Presenteeism Scale and the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. RESULTS: a total of 758 (48%) professionals participated; 330 (43.5%) presenteeism were identified, who evaluated the safety culture more negatively compared to non- presenteeism. The safety culture had a mean less than 75; associations between presenteeism and general safety culture were observed, and with the domains of teamwork climate, safety climate, stress recognition and working conditions. CONCLUSIONS: presenteeism was associated with a safety culture, which requires investment by hospital management, with consideration to the health of workers.

Occupational stress, burnout and patient safety culture among workers from critical care and non critical care units in a hospital in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship among occupational stress, burnout and the perception of patient safety culture in health workers in critical care compared to non critical care units. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study with health workers in the critical care and non critical care units of a university public hospital in Brazil. Data were collected using the Demographic and Labour Profile Questionnaire, Safety Attitudes Questionnaire, Job Stress Scale and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. An analysis of descriptive and inferential statistics was performed in PASW Statistics® software. RESULTS: A total of 393 health workers participated in the study, with 58.3% from critical care units and 41.7% from non critical care units. There was a prevalence of workers in high demand in non critical care units and 13.4% were experiencing burnout; there was a predominance of active work in the reviews and 8.3% were experiencing burnout. The patient safety culture perception was negative in both. The multivariate analysis pointed out that the variables such as high demand and burnout increased the prevalence of negatively assessing the safety culture. CONCLUSION: Workers from non critical care units were more affected by occupational stress and burnout and seemed to evaluate the safety culture more negatively, which can interfere in the quality of care provided.

Sociodemographic and occupational aspects associated with burnout in military nursing workers.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze association between burnout and sociodemographic and occupational features of military nursing workers. METHODS: a cross-sectional study, developed in five military hospitals of the Army of Rio Grande do Sul State, among 167 workers from military nursing from December 2015 to May 2016. Sociodemographic and occupational questionnaires and the Maslach Burnout Inventory were applied. For the analysis, it was used descriptive statistics, Chi-Square Test and Poisson Regression. RESULTS: the majority of participants were female; temporary military personnel, nursing technicians, with a median age of 34 years old. Burnout was related to the variables: Military Health Organization, time of practice in military nursing and accomplishment of leisure activities. CONCLUSIONS: burnout assessment may contribute to the Brazilian Army Command in organizing plans for prevention and handling of occupational diseases in military nursing, improving quality of life at work.