Workload Of Nurses Research Articles

Exploring the Variability in Triage Nursing Workload: Insights From a Multicentre Observational Study.

Although there has been a significant amount of research on nurse workloads in hospital environments, there has been a lack of comprehensive investigation of the workload of triage nurses. This study assesses the workload fluctuations of triage nurses in various emergency departments in the same region and examines how workload varies based on emergency department visit volumes and seasonal fluctuations. The study is a retrospective, multicentre, observational study from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2023, in seven Italian emergency departments, gathering information on all patients who went through the triage process. We documented the number of nurses present throughout each shift and adjusted the data to account for the number of patients attended to by each triage nurse per shift. The EDs were classified into high-inflow, medium-inflow and low-inflow categories according to the annual number of patients they served. The study included 1,223,331 emergency department triage assessments. During daytime shifts, triage nurses in high-inflow emergency departments assessed a median of 74 patients, while those in medium-inflow and low-inflow emergency departments assessed 63 and 32 patients, respectively. During nighttime shifts, triage nurses in high-inflow emergency departments assessed 26 patients, compared to 14 in medium-inflow and 5 in low-inflow emergency departments. Significant seasonal fluctuations in the workload of triage nurses were observed. This study reveals substantial disparities in the number of patients triage nurses assess, which vary according to emergency department patient inflow volumes and seasonal factors. The findings emphasise the need for more standardised and equitable workload distribution among triage nurses. Future research should aim to establish a systematic nurse staffing model for triage to ensure manageable workloads and maintain patient safety. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology was used. No patient or public contribution.

Patient safety management activities and perceived workload of shift-work nurses, moderated by the perceived importance of patient safety management.

To explore the relationship between patient safety management and each aspect of nurses' workload and to report the moderating effects of the perceived importance of patient safety management on these relationships. As the importance of patient safety is emphasized, nurses' work demands, including patient identification, infection control, and prevention of falls and pressure ulcers, are increasing. However, differences according to hospital type and nurses' increased workload have not been considered when measuring nurses' workload. This study used a cross-sectional research design and an online survey, adhering to the STROBE reporting guidelines. The study population consisted of 215 shift-work nurses employed in tertiary or general hospitals in Korea. Data were collected in January 2024. Patient safety management activities had a positive effect on the pace and amount of work, emotional workload, and mental workload, and a negative effect on work organization (interruption). The perceived importance of patient safety management negatively moderated the effects of perceived patient safety management activities on emotional workload and work organization. This study clarifies the relationship between patient safety activities and each aspect of nurses' workload. The additional demands on nurses due to patient safety management activities should be considered when measuring their workloads and determining adequate nurse staffing levels. To manage the burden of nurses' work demands effectively, it is essential to maintain adequate staffing levels and continuously monitor the patient safety climate. This approach will increase nurses' perception of the importance of patient safety management. Continuous education on patient safety should also be provided.

Abstract 4114994: Nursing Management Practice Variations related to Externalized Ventricular and Lumbar Drains

Introduction/Background: Nursing management of neurologic patients may include placement of externalized ventricular drains (EVDs) or lumbar drains (LDs) to monitor/drain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), but knowledge and practice related to EVD management varies widely, despite a high potential for life-threatening complications. Limited data exists relative to the relationship between intracranial pressure (ICP) and CSF drainage. These gaps may undermine patient safety. Research Question: What are the nursing practices and perspectives regarding management of EVDs and LDs? Methods/Approach: A 16-question multiple-choice/text entry survey was distributed electronically to nurses and advanced practice nurses who were members of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses. Data analysis included chi-square test for multiple choice responses, and qualitative data was analyzed using a six-step thematic analysis and an inductive approach. Results/Data: Of 219 participants, 42.8% reported roles as Neuroscience ICU nurses, and 39.2% managed an EVD at least 75% of the time. Neuro ICU nurses were most likely to have a patient with an EVD ( p =.002). Approximately 63% of respondents reported consulting with colleagues about EVDs nearly every time they cared for a patient with an EVD. Nurses reported a very high care burden, including re-leveling the transducer 4 or more times per shift (n=76), and re-zeroing every 8 hours (n=72) to assure accurate calibration. Of these 82.2% reported that they re-zeroed the EVD more often to obtain an accurate reading. Approximately 25% reported accidental over-drainage, some with negative outcomes. Many (79.3%) reported caring for patients with LDs, 47.4% to diagnose normal pressure hydrocephalus. The nursing care workload was described as 30-120 minutes each shift. Conclusion: A wide heterogeneity of nursing practices was revealed in EVD and LD management. No standardized nursing care practices have been adopted by nurses for the management of CSF. The complications of these practice variations have been shown to result in untoward patient outcomes. Increased patient morbidity and mortality are linked to catheter infection and over/under drainage of CSF and may be directly related nursing practice. This reveals critical need for improved, standardized care nursing practices in the management of EVDs and LDs, and an empiric understanding of the relationship between intracranial pressure and the volume and rate of CSF drainage.

Objective and subjective evaluation of the use of protective clothing on the thermal strain and mental workload of nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nurses are among high-risk occupational groups during the outbreak of epidemics. Therefore, these people are required to use personal protective equipment (PPE). Previous studies have shown that the use of personal protective equipment can affect people's thermal strain and mental workload. The present study was conducted with the aim of objectively and subjectively evaluating the use of protective clothing on the thermal strain and mental workload of nurses during the covid-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study was divided into two groups with a sample size of 300 people who were selected by systematic random method. In the first group, 120 people were objectively evaluated (use of protective clothing). In the second group, 180 people only completed the questionnaire of mental workload, feeling of heat and sweating and other information related to the type of clothing and the duration of its use, etc. Measurements were done in August and September of 2021 and in the morning shift of hospitals. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 software and chi-square, independent T-test and linear regression tests. The average age and average working hours per month of the participants in the study were 33.51±7.88 years, 187.91±35.37 hours, respectively. The results showed that the predicted average vote (PMV) index and the predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD), moisture felt on the skin surface, the feeling of desirability and pleasantness of the temperature, the weight of sweat and the humidity inside the clothes between the two groups of people using insulated clothes There is a significant difference between medicine and dressing (P < 0.05). There was a significant relationship between mental workload and type of clothing, average working hours per month. The use of medical isolation clothes causes a high heat load on nurses and can increase their mental workload. On the other hand, people using normal gowns suffer from a high mental workload due to the fear of disease due to the uncertainty of high-level protection. In addition, medical isolation clothes increase the humidity of the skin due to their impermeability, which causes skin complications.

Design and Development of An Integrated Monitoring System for Nebulizer and Infusion for Lung Disease Patients Based on IoT

This research develops an Internet of Things (IoT)-based monitoring system for nebulizers and infusion devices for patients with lung diseases, specifically Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI). The aim is to improve nursing efficiency and minimize the risk of complications due to delayed patient care by enabling remote monitoring and providing real-time information on the status of nebulizers and infusion devices via a website. The system is designed to stop the infusion fLow when the required amount is reached and to automatically turn off the nebulizer when there is no liquid. It uses an ESP32 microcontroller to control IR obstacle sensors, relays, and a servo motor for the infusion clamp, as well as an LCD display for digital information and feature displays. The system is also equipped with an alarm to indicate when the infusion liquid or nebulizer is depleted and a website to provide real-time status information to medical personnel. Testing shows that the system has a high accuracy of 98.7% and minimal error of approximately 1.82% in monitoring and controlling nebulizer and infusion fluids. In conclusion, the system successfully improves nursing efficiency and patient safety while reducing the workload of nurses through the automation of medical devices that were previously managed manually.

Clinical trial protocol for continuous glucose monitoring in critical care at Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (CGM-UCI23).

Hyperglycaemia is common in intensive care units (ICUs), with a prevalence of up to 86.2%, increasing mortality. Technology has evolved towards continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), and its use in ICUs began especially during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Various studies have evaluated the reliability of CGM, indicating that it is safe for use in critically ill patients. The aim of this study was to compare the use of CGM with point-of-care glucose (POC-G) testing in ICU. Specific objectives include evaluating the glycaemic control, the frequency of POC-G measurements, the incidence of hyperglycaemia, hypoglycaemia and morbidity and mortality at 90 days. An experimental, controlled and randomized clinical trial with a single-blind design will be conducted at Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCB). A sample size of 376 participants will be recruited and randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group, where glycaemic management will be based on CGM; and a control group, where glucose will be managed through POC-G testing, with a blinded CGM. The primary variable considered will be time in range (TIR), with secondary outcomes including, time above range (TAR), time below range (TBR), number of POC-G measurements, incidence of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia, and mortality. Hypothesis testing will use the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to assess data normality, with appropriate statistical tests applied, considering a p-value <.05. The results obtained will help us understand the impact of CGM on critically ill patients. CGM could potentially reduce the workload of nurses and improve the efficiency of decision-making by the ICU team, enabling early identification and treatment of glucose complications, thereby enhancing safety. Patient safety, a reduction in patient fingerstick and a decreased care burden are the criteria that add value to this research.

Systematic Literature Review: Nurses' Work Hours and Workload Impact on Patient Safety Incidents

Patient safety is a key indicator in assessing the quality of healthcare services in hospitals, and nurses play a crucial role in maintaining that safety. However, long working hours and high workloads can affect nurses' performance, increasing the risk of fatigue, stress, and burnout, ultimately contributing to medical errors and decreased quality of care. This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review on the effect of nurses' working hours and workload on hospital patient safety incidents. Patient safety is a key indicator in assessing healthcare quality, and nurses play an essential role in maintaining patient safety during daily care. However, long working hours and high workloads can affect nurses' performance, increasing the risk of fatigue, stress, and burnout, ultimately contributing to medical errors and decreased quality of care. Through the analysis of various relevant studies, this review suggests that more flexible working hour arrangements and balanced workload management can reduce the risk of patient safety incidents and improve the quality of care provided. This study also recommends that hospital human resource management to create a healthier and safer working environment for nurses and patients.

Mental workload as a predictor of burnout in intensive care nurses.

Nurses face a high level of mental workload while performing their duties. High levels of mental workload can negatively impact nurses. The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between mental workload and burnout levels of intensive care nurses. Descriptive-correlational design has been adopted in this research. The sample consisted of 156 nurses working in the intensive care units of a hospital in the south of Turkey between September and December 2023. Research data were collected with the 'Participant Information Form', which includes socio-demographic characteristics, 'Mental Workload Scale' and 'Maslach Burnout Scale'. Almost all (95.5%) of the nurses participating in the study reported that their mental workload was high. It has been determined that there is a strong positive relationship between mental workload and burnout. According to the regression model obtained from the research, being a woman (β = .165, p = .008) and emotional workload (β = -695, p < .001) are determinants of emotional exhaustion. These variables explain emotional exhaustion at a rate of 50.1% (adjusted R2 = .501). Emotional workload (β = .399, p = .003) is the most important determinant of personal accomplishment. This variable explains 19.0% (adjusted R2 = .190) of personal accomplishment. The most important determinant of depersonalization is emotional workload (β = .324, p < .001). It was determined that this variable explained 24.4% (adjusted R2 = .244) of depersonalization. This research revealed that there is a strong positive relationship between mental workload and burnout and that increasing mental workload can increase burnout. Nurses' risk of emotional exhaustion increases as mental workload increases. Reducing cognitive workload, temporary workload and emotional workload increases the personal accomplishment experienced by nurses. In addition, as temporary workload, emotional workload and performance-related workload increase, the depersonalization experienced by nurses also increases.

Development and Validation of a Prediction Model for Dysphagia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Objectives. Dysphagia is a geriatric syndrome, which may lead to complications such as dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration, pneumonia, and a significant reduction in quality of life. The purpose of this study was to construct and validate a prediction model for dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults and provide an assessment tool for the prevention and control of dysphagia. Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting. The community-dwelling Chinese older adults. Participants. 3655 participants aged 65 years and older were involved, who were randomly divided into the training set and the validation set. Methods. Data were collected and analyzed from June 2022 to September 2022. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify independent risk factors for dysphagia. We applied R software to develop a nomogram model to predict dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults. The predictive value of the model was assessed by the area under the ROC curve (AUC), the calibration curve was used to evaluate the reliability of the nomogram model for predicting dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults. The model's clinical utility was further evaluated using a Decision Curve Analysis (DCA). Results. The incidence of dysphagia was 11.8% (320/3655). Maximum tongue pressure, number of molars, pneumonia, ADL, sarcopenia, age, neurological diseases, and rheumatic immune diseases were selected as risk predictors for dysphagia. The prediction model demonstrated fair discriminative ability with the AUC was 0.709 (95%CI: 0.679-0.739) in the training set and 0.693 (95%Cl: 0.640-0.747) in the validation set, the calibration is adequate, and the Hosmer and Lemeshow test showed p values of 0.163 and 0.415, respectively. The DCA curve of our model shows a positive clinical net benefit. Conclusions. The prediction model established in this study was of a certain predictive value for the risk of dysphagia in community-dwelling older adults. By estimating the likelihood of future outcomes or the onset of certain diseases, it can assist medical personnel in formulating preventive strategies, lessening the workload of nurses, and also diminishing the financial burden on patients, thereby enhancing their overall quality of life.

Aspects of rational organization of labor of medical staff

The introduction of new technologies, new organizational forms in the treatment and diagnostic process, the formation of new views on disease prevention, structural reorganization in healthcare require the development of a modern regulatory framework for labor and its continuous improvement. Target. Definition of aspects of rational organization of labor of medical personnel and their application in the practice of nursing specialists. Results. The main types of activities of nurses of the therapeutic department are analyzed, the working time costs of the nursing staff are studied by means of photo timing and interviewing, a comparative analysis of the workload of nurses per shift and the quality of medical care is carried out. Conclusion. The labor costs of the nursing staff are influenced by many, so-called, standardforming factors, which include: qualification, professional level of a specialist; composition of patients by nosological forms of the disease, severity of the course, presence of complications, concomitant diseases; gender and age composition of patients; intensity of treatment and diagnostic measures, stage of medical care; the procedure for admission of patients to the hospital, etc. The effect of these factors on the relationship between themselves is quite complex, determining the possibility of taking them into account will allow adjusting the number of positions in each division of the healthcare institution based on local conditions, ongoing changes in the composition of those hospitalized, and determining specific workload standards for each employee.

Barriers and facilitators to narrative nursing implementation for junior nurses: A qualitative study.

This study aimed to explore the experiences of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of narrative nursing by junior nurses. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from October 2023 to February 2024. Data were thematically analyzed using the Colaizzi seven-step method. Five barriers and 3 facilitators to the implementation of narrative nursing by junior nurses emerged in the study. Relevant barriers include lack of practical skills related to narrative nursing, neglect of the concept of humanistic care, negative events, high workload for junior nurses, restricted implementation environment. The facilitators contain patients' and family members' trust, training related to knowledge and skills, as well as harmonious and cooperative working atmosphere. There is still room for improvement in the implementation of narrative nursing for junior nurses, and the systematic training of narrative nursing knowledge and skills should be enhanced; the medical humanistic environment should be optimized; and the psychological resilience of junior nurses should be improved, so as to encourage them to actively implement narrative nursing at the early stage of their careers, and to deepen the high-quality development of nursing humanism.

Oral self-management of palbociclib using mobile technology: Findings from a nurse-led randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesTest the feasibility and effectiveness of a text message reminder intervention for the self-management of oral anticancer medication in patients with metastatic breast cancer. MethodsForty-three females initiating treatment with palbociclib participated in a two-armed prospective randomized clinical trial. Participants were randomized into the control (N ​= ​21) and intervention groups (N ​= ​22) from January 2020 to January 2023. Survey responses were collected at three-time points; 1) at consent, 2)end of treatment cycles, and 3) at a follow-up clinic visit. Surveys included a demographic questionnaire, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, post-study assessment, and the R-15 Participant Satisfaction Questionnaire. Nurse providers completed the Adaptation of Stamps Nurse Workload questionnaire. ResultsThe COVID-19 pandemic and regulatory decisions supporting other CDK4/6 medications negatively influence recruitment; thus, a small sample for each arm only detected large differences between the two arms regarding effectiveness. Feasibility analysis was not conducted due to insufficient data, but the participants frequently used their smartphones for text messaging. Although the survey data were limited, participants provided anecdotal information supporting the use of text messaging as a positive method to remind them to take their medication, have their labs drawn, and attend MD visits. Participants would have liked text messages at the exact time they took their medications as a simple reminder. ConclusionsGiven the importance of cancer treatments and the difficulties patients experience during these treatments, text messages using smartphones can actively improve patients' engagement and their ability to manage their treatment regimens.

Nurse's Workload, Patient Safety and Quality of Care; A Descriptive Study in Tertiary Care Hospital

Nurse's Workload, Patient Safety and Quality of Care; A Descriptive Study in Tertiary Care Hospital

The Impact of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on Nurses' and Junior Doctors' Workloads

ABSTRACTAimsTo explore the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on nurses' and junior doctors' workload, changes to direct care and the impact of workload on resource allocation.DesignMixed‐method design was used.MethodsData were collected from direct observation, hospital administrative database and a survey. Nurses and junior doctors were observed on two COVID‐19 wards and one non‐COVID‐19 ward using a semi‐structured observation schedule. Survey data were collected from nurses and junior doctors that had worked on the COVID‐19 ward during the pandemic. Patient data were collected from Web Patient Administration System during the period of March–August 2021 and compared to March–August 2022.ResultsThe results of this study indicated that the workloads of nurses and junior doctors changed on the COVID‐19 wards. Nurses on the COVID‐19 ward spent less time on administration, communication and documentation compared to nurses working on the non‐COVID‐19 ward. For junior doctors, less time was being spent on direct care activities and administrative work compared to the non‐COVID ward. On the COVID‐19 wards, patients were older and had a shorter length of stay compared to the year before. Five themes were identified from the surveys, staffing shortages resulting in higher workloads and the need for overtime, unforeseen time to undertake tasks, lack of support and physical health and patient care compromised.ConclusionThe study highlights the need for systemic changes to staffing shortages and elevated workloads to improve the compromised mental and physical health caused during the pandemic and to retain the workforce for future sustainability.ImplicationsAs we collectively reflect on the lessons learned from this unprecedented period, it is imperative to address the challenges experienced proactively, fostering a healthcare environment that prioritises the well‐being of its front line heroes and, by extension, the quality of patient care.Reporting MethodSTROBE.Patient or Public ContributionNo patient or public contribution.

Workload-Related Issues among Nurses Caring for Patients with Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Scoping Review.

As the elderly population grows, the prevalence of dementia is rising, with 70-95% of patients in hospital settings exhibiting problematic behaviors such as aggression. These behaviors significantly contribute to increased nursing workloads, affecting nurses' well-being and patient care quality. This study aims to review workload-related issues among nurses caring for dementia patients, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to mitigate stress and improve care quality. A scoping review was conducted using the five-stage framework of Arksey and O'Malley. The literature search covered studies published between 2013 and 2023, focusing on quantitative research about nurses' workload-related stress when managing patients with dementia and problematic behaviors. Databases such as PubMed and PsycINFO were searched, and 13 studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review revealed that problematic behaviors, particularly aggression, significantly increase nurses' stress and workload. This stress has negative consequences on nurses' physical and mental health, often leading to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and a decline in care quality. Inadequate staffing and support systems exacerbate these issues. Targeted education, sufficient staffing, and support are essential to reduce the workload and stress experienced by nurses caring for dementia patients. Implementing these strategies can enhance the quality of care provided and improve the well-being of healthcare professionals.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS): Assessing the Crucial Role of Nurses in Improving Patient Outcomes and Healthcare Efficiency" at Aster Sanad Hospital Riyadh (Cesarean section)

Background: Surgical advancements have led to the development of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guidelines. This study aims to assess the nurse’s role in improving patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency using ERAS. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Aster Sanad Hospital Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and from electronic medical records. The study sample was given a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY) to analyze the data. Result: The result shows that there is a significant level of confidence among a notable portion of respondents regarding their understanding of ERAS protocols, there are also areas of uncertainty and variability, indicating the need for targeted interventions to enhance comprehension and implementation. Moreover, there is widespread acknowledgement of the pivotal role of nurses in ERAS implementation, yet significant proportions express reservations about nurses' training, workload constraints, and support from healthcare institutions. Conclusion: Overall, these findings emphasize the multifaceted nature of ERAS implementation, requiring a comprehensive approach that addresses training, communication, workload, and resource allocation to optimize patient outcomes and healthcare efficiency in Cesarean surgery units at Aster Sanad Hospital.

The influencing factors of nurses' job engagement in tertiary, A grade hospitals in East China: A cross-sectional study.

To explore the effects of demographic characteristics, mental workload, and Adversity quotient (AQ) on the job engagement of nurses in East China. A quantitative and cross-sectional study. The survey collected questionnaire data on mental workload, adversity quotient, and job engagement from 473 nurses selected working in 12 Grade-A tertiary hospitals based on informed consent in East China between July 2020 and March 2021. The total score of mental workload was 78.24 ± 11.65, the adversity quotient score was 128.26 ± 15.84, job engagement score was 42.32 ± 7.79. Job engagement has a remarkable positive correlation with adversity quotient (r = 0.613, p<0.001), and a negative correlation with mental workload (r = -0.499, p<0.001). Mental workload has an apparent negative correlation with adversity quotient (r = -0.291, p<0.001). Labor-management relationship with current organization, department, study to get a degree or diploma in spare time, attitude towards a career in Nursing, attitude towards the current career position, satisfaction with marriage, social support, load feelings, self-assessment, control, and endurance could predict 70.9% of job engagement of nurses. The mental workload of nurses was higher, the AQ was at a medium level, and the job engagement of nurses was also slightly higher. Labor-management relationship with current organization, department, study to get a degree or diploma in spare time, attitude towards a career in Nursing, attitude towards the current career position, satisfaction with marriage, social support, load feelings, self-assessment, control, and endurance had predictive effects on nurses' job engagement. It is necessary to take a variety of measures according to the social-demographic characteristics, improve the adversity quotient, and evaluate the mental workload correctly, to improve the job engagement of nurses. The epidemic situation and other emergencies make the work pressure of nurses in Grade-A tertiary hospitals increase suddenly. It should pay attention to the influence of different demographic factors, and pay attention to the correct guidance of work demand-mental workload, as well as the cultivation, and improvement of job resource-AQ, which can improve the job engagement of nurses to some extent. No patient or public contribution.

Case Study of Implementation of Adverse Event Prevention Program: Decubitus Ulcer in Bedrest Patient with Stroke in the ICU Room with S.S.K.I.N Approach

Patient safety is one of the aspects of providing excellent service for patients in hospitals, especially in the ICU. One method of managing patient safety is to prevent pressure ulcers in the ICU. The aim of this study is to explain the management of pressure ulcer prevention in the ICU for bedridden stroke patients using an intervention approach with form chart media. The research method used in this study is a case study design that includes assessment processes, data analysis, diagnostic rehabilitation, intervention, implementation, and evaluation. We collected data through observation, interviews, and physical examinations. We carried out the intervention in two shifts. We measured the risk of pressure ulcers using the Braden scale, provided health education to the family, and ensured the nurse correctly filled out the form. The obstacle to increasing the number of nurses is the workload and the feeling that human resources are still insufficient. There are no signs of pressure sores on the patient's back. In the implementation of the pressure ulcer prevention program using the skin approach, family involvement is necessary to ensure the program continues without adding to the workload of nurses in the ICU. Conclusion: Modifications to the formchart and family involvement in the program are necessary for the implementation of the pressure ulcer prevention program using formchart media in the ICU.

Mapping and Characterizing Instruments for Assessing Family Nurses' Workload: Scoping Review.

The importance of knowing the workload of family nurses lies essentially in the possibility of improving health outcomes, care processes and the nurse's professional life. There is a lack of studies that fully describe the nursing workload in primary care, particularly, in the context of family health nursing, and the ideal metrics to be used remain unknown, making it impossible to characterize and therefore provide the necessary insight to acknowledge the different contributions of several aspects that embody the global workload of family nurses. The objective of this scoping review was to map the known evidence and characterize the instruments used to assess the workload of family nurses. Scoping review, according to the Joanna Briggs Institute, proposed a methodology for scoping reviews, consisting of three research stages: (1) an initial research in Medline and CINHAL; (2) an extended search, using keywords and search terms, in the following databases: JBI, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Scopus; and (3) a search of the reference lists of the selected articles. No time limit was defined. Fourteen studies referring to ten assessment instruments were included. Nine of them analyze workload as a dimension of a broader instrument, and two studies refer to an instrument that focuses exclusively on workload. The diversity of professional competencies and contexts, the conceptual complexity of workload and the absence of a theoretical framework make it difficult to identify consensual instruments to assess the workload of family nurses. This study was prospectively registered with the Open Science Framework® on 6 September 2023, with the registration number: 3k6vr.

Validation of SIPI and comparison with objective nursing workload

ABSTRACT Background Accurately estimating nursing care workload upon hospital admission is crucial for resource allocation. Despite the introduction of tools like the ‘Information System of Nursing Performance’ (SIPI) in Italy, studies evaluating their effectiveness are lacking. Aim This study aimed to validate SIPI based on nursing care demands in an internal medicine ward. Design Single-centre, observational study of all patients admitted to an internal medicine department in an Italian hospital from 1 September to 31 December 2022. Methods Nursing activities were documented over the first 3 days of hospitalization using a standardized form, measured as performance/5 min/patient/day. Multivariate analysis assessed SIPI’s association with nursing workload. SIPI’s ability to predict excessive nurse workload was evaluated using the AUROC curve. Results The study included 306 patients. Mean SIPI value was 53.9 (20.6). Daily average care demands varied by SIPI category: 20.7 performances in very low, 26.8 in medium-low, 28.7 in medium-high, and 32.4 in very high (P = 0.001). SIPI was independently associated with increased care demands (OR: 1.024; 1.002–1.047, P = 0.033). The AUROC for SIPI predicting excessive workload was 0.614 (95% CI: 0.545–0.683). Conclusions SIPI is useful for identifying nursing workload and correlates with patient care demands.