Objective: to analyze the influence of workload, stress, Burnout, work satisfaction, the nursing team's perception of the care environment, and the presence of adverse events in a Trauma Intensive Care Units.Method: an observational study conducted at the Intensive Trauma Therapy Unit 195 patients were prospectively followed for the collection of incidents, and instruments were used to measure Nursing workload, stress, Burnout, job satisfaction and work environment assessment by the nursing team. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistics for the study.Results: we observed 1,586 incidents, predominantly no harm incidents (78.44%). Among the nursing staff, 77.40% had average levels of stress; 17.00% presented Burnout; 56.6% were dissatisfied and considered the environmental characteristics to be inadequate. Nursing workload was high (73.24%). An association between incident and length of stay was found. No harm incidents were associated with nursing workload. Método: estudio observacional en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos de Trauma. Para la recolección de los incidentes fueron seguidos prospectivamente 195 pacientes siendo utilizados instrumentos para medir la carga de trabajo de enfermería, el estrés, el Burnout, la satisfacción laboral y el trabajo de evaluación del entorno de trabajo por parte del personal de enfermería. Los datos se analizaron usando el estudio estadístico apropiado. ConclusionResultados: ocurrieron 1.586 incidentes predominantemente incidentes sin daño (78,44%). Entre el personal de enfermería, 77.40% tenían niveles medios de estrés; 17,00% mostró Burnout; y el 56,6% estaban insatisfechos y consideraron inadecuadas las características ambientales. La carga de trabajo de enfermería fue alta (73,24%). Se observó una asociación entre la incidencia y la duración de la estancia. Incidentes sin lesiones se asociaron con la carga de trabajo de enfermería.Conclusión: La identificación de factores asociados puede prevenir la aparición de incidentes. DESCRIPTORES:Seguridad del paciente. Unidades de cuidados intensivos. Carga de trabajo. Agotamiento profesional. Enfermería.

Objectives: To analyze the performance of the Nursing Activities Score (NAS) to measure the prospective nursing workload in Intensive Care Units (ICU) and to compare the NAS values obtained in prospective and retrospective applications of the instrument, in addition to verifying the degree of concordance in the items that comprise it applied prospectively and retrospectively. Methods: NAS was applied prospectively and retrospectively. Student's t, Pearson's coefficient and Intra-class correlation (ICC) were used to verify correlation and homogeneity. For agreement between each item, the Kappa coefficient was used. Results: There were differences (p < 0.001) between the prospective and retrospective NAS averages (Pearson 0.65 and ICC 0.623). Kappa was not applied to 11 items due to the high percentage of agreement in a single response category. Ten items (47.6%) had agreements equal or higher than moderate. Items with very strong and strong agreement refer to objective data that usually do not present disagreements. Items with sub-items had lower agreements. Conclusions: Prospective NAS performed well in measuring nursing workload at the ICU. RESUMENObjetivos: Analizar el desempeño del Nursing Activities Score (NAS) para la medida prospectiva de la carga de trabajo de enfermería en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) y comparar los valores del NAS obtenidos en la aplicación prospectiva y retrospectiva del instrumento, además de verificar el grado de concordancia en los items que lo componen aplicados en la forma prospectiva y retrospectiva. Métodos: El NAS fue aplicado prospectiva y retrospectivamente. Para verificar la correlación y homogeneidad se utilizó el t-student, Coeficiente de Pearson y Correlación Intraclasse (ICC). Para la concordancia entre cada item se utilizó el Kappa. Resultados: Hubo diferença (p< 0,001) entre los promedios del NAS prospectivo y retrospectivo (Pearson 0,65 e ICC 0,623). En 11 items no fue aplicado el Kappa debido al elevado porcentaje de concordancia en una única categoría de respuesta. Diez items (47,6%) presentaron concordancia igual o mayor que la moderada. Items con concordancia muy fuerte y fuerte se refirieron a datos objetivos que generalmente no presentan discordancias. Ya los items con sub-items presentaron concordancias más débiles. Conclusiones: El NAS prospectivo presentó buen desempeño para la medida de carga de trabajo de enfermería en la UCI.

RESUMOTrata-se de estudo descritivo, cujos objetivos foram comparar a carga de trabalho de enfermagem em unidade de pós-operató-rio de cirurgia cardíaca indicada pelo NAS, TISS-28 e NEMS, e também verificar a proporção profissional de enfermagem por paciente existente na unidade e a proporção necessária, segundo os índices utilizados. Os dados foram coletados em um hospital-escola de outubro a novembro de 2004. A amostra, constituída de 55 pacientes, totalizou 283 medidas de carga de trabalho. A carga de trabalho mensurada pelo NAS (73,7%) foi estatisticamente superior ao do TISS-28 (62,2%) e ao do NEMS (59,7%). A proporção média de profissionais de enfermagem por paciente, estimada pelo NAS (1,0:1), TISS-28 (0,8:1) e NEMS (0,8:1) foi inferior ao observado na unidade (1,2:1). Concluiu-se que o NAS quantificou maior carga de trabalho de enfermagem e apresentou uma relação profissional de enfermagem por paciente mais próxima ao observado na unidade estudada. ABSTRACT This is a descriptive study, aiming at comparing the nursing workload in a postoperatory heart surgery unit (UPOCC) using NAS, TISS-28 and NEMS, and verifying both the observed and recommended nursing staff-to-patient ratio according to the workload indexes used. Data collection happened in a University Hospital, from October to November, 2004. The sample included 55 patients, resulting in 283 nursing workload measurements. The nursing workload measured by NAS (73.7%) were statistically higher than TISS-28 (66.2%) and NEMS (59.7%). The average of nursing staffto-patient ratio estimated by NAS (1:1), TISS-28 (0.8:1) and NEMS (0.8:1) were lower than the observed ratio in the unit (1.2:1). We concluded that NAS measured a higher nursing workload and showed a nursing staff-to-patient ratio similar to the results found in the unit studied. DESCRITORES KEY WORDS RESUMENEstudio descriptivo cuyos objetivos fueron comparar la carga laboral de enfermería en el servicio post-operatorio de cirugía cardiaca según el NAS, TISS-28 y NEMS, y verificar la proporción profesional de enfermeros por paciente existentes en la unidad, así como la proporción necesaria según los índices utilizados. Los datos fueron recolectados en un hospital-escuela de octubre a noviembre del 2004. La muestra constituida por 55 pacientes, totalizaron 283 medidas para la carga de trabajo. Esta variable fue medida por NAS (73.7%) siendo estadís-ticamente superior al TISS-28 (62.2%) y al NEMS (59.7%). La proporción promedio de profesionales de enfermería por paciente, estimado por el NAS (1.0:1), TISS-28 (0.8:1) y NEMS (0.8:1) fue inferior a lo observado en la unidad (1.2:1). Se concluyó que el NAS cuantificó mayor carga de trabajo de enfermería y presentó una relación profesional de enfermería/paciente con mayor cercanía a la observada en la unidad estudiada.

Objective: to identify the factors associated with the occurrence of adverse events in critical elderly patients admitted to intensive care unit according to demographic and clinical characteristics. Method: a retrospective cohort study was conducted in nine units of a teaching hospital. Data were collected from medical records and from monitoring of nursing shift change. We used the t-test/Mann-Whitney, chi-square and logistic regression to test associations. Signifi cance level of 5% was used. Results: out of the 315 elderly, 94 experienced events. Those who experienced events were men (60.6%) with mean age of 70.7 years, length of hospital stay of 10.6 days and survivors (61.7%). Most of the 183 events were clinical processes and procedures (37.1%). There was an association between adverse event and length of hospital stay in the unit (p=0.000; OR=1.10, 95% CI [1.06, 1.14]). Conclusion: the identifi cation of associated events and factors in the elderly subsidize the prevention of these occurrences before the vulnerability of this age group. Descriptors: Aged; Intensive Care Units; Patient Safety; Nursing Care; Workload. RESUMO Objetivo: identifi car os fatores relacionados à ocorrência de eventos adversos em pacientes idosos críticos internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva segundo características demográfi cas e clínicas. Método: estudo de coorte retrospectivo realizado em nove unidades de um hospital universitário. Os dados foram coletados dos prontuários e do acompanhamento de passagens de plantão de enfermagem. Utilizou-se o Teste-t/Mann-Whitney, Qui-quadrado e Regressão Logística para verifi car associações. Nível de signifi cância de 5%. Resultados: do total de 315 idosos, 94 sofreram eventos. Os que sofreram eventos eram homens (60,6%), com média de idade de 70,7 anos, permanência de 10,6 dias e sobreviventes (61,7%). Dos 183 eventos, houve predomínio do tipo processo clínico e procedimento (37,1%). Houve associação entre evento adverso e tempo de permanência na unidade (p=0,000; OR=1,10; IC95%= [1,06;1,14] Toffoletto MC, et al.