Nursing Activities Score in the intensive care unit: analysis of the related factors.

BACKGROUND: High costs of intensive care as well as quality of care and patient safety demand measurement of nursing workload in order to determine nursing staff requirements. It is also important to be aware of the factors related to high patient care demands in order to help forecast staff requirements in intensive care units (ICUs). OBJECTIVES: To describe nursing workload using the Nursing Activities Score (NAS); to explore the association between NAS and patients variables, i.e. gender, age, length of stay (LOS), ICU discharge, treatment in the ICU, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) and Therapeutic Interventions Scoring System-28 (TISS-28). METHODS: NAS, demographic data, SAPS II and TISS-28 were analysed among 200 patients from four different ICUs in a private hospital in S?o Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: NAS median were 66.4%. High NAS scores (> 66.4%) were associated with death (p-value 0.006) and LOS (p-value 0.015). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that TISS-28 scores above 23 and SAPS II scores above 46.5 points, classified as high, increased 5.45 and 2.78 times, respectively, the possibility of a high workload as compared to lower values of the same indexes. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the highest NAS scores were associated with increased mortality, LOS, severity of the patient illness (SAPS II), and particularly to TISS-28 in the ICU.     

应用护理活动评估量表对ICU护理工作量的调查与分析

目的应用护理活动评估量表(NAS)评价ICU护理工作量,分析ICU护理工作量特征,为护理管理者合理配置人力资源提供依据。方法翻译英文版NAS,评价其信度、效度及文化相关性。2006年1～4月,对所有入住中国医科大学附属第一医院ICU的病人,应用NAS评价护理工作量。结果该院ICU病人因入住ICU时间不同、转归不同,其护理工作量也不同,并与疾病种类无关。结论中文版护理工作量评估表是一种具有较高信度和效度的ICU专用护理工作量评估量表,可以为护理管理者提供可靠的理论依据和数据支持。     

Nursing workload assessment in an intensive care unit: A retrospective observational study using the Nursing Activities Score

Background

Nursing Activities Score (NAS) is a promising tool for calculating the nursing workload in intensive care units (ICU). However, data on intensive care nursing activities in Portugal are practically non-existent.

Aim

To assess the nursing workload in a Portuguese ICU using the NAS.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study developed throughout the analysis of the electronic health record database from 56 adult patients admitted to a six-bed Portuguese ICU between 1 June–31 August 2020. The nursing workload was assessed by the Portuguese version of the NAS. The study was approved by the Hospital Council Board and Ethics Committee. The study report followed the STROBE guidelines.

Results

The average occupancy rate was 73.55% (±16.60%). The average nursing workload per participant was 67.52 (±10.91) points. There was a correlation between the occupancy rate and the nursing workload. In 35.78% of the days, the nursing workload was higher than the available human resources, overloading nurse staffing/team.

Conclusions

The nursing workload reported follows the trend of the international studies and the results reinforce the importance of adjusting the nursing staffing to the complexity of nursing care in this ICU. This study highlighted periods of nursing workload that could compromise patient safety.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

This was one of the first studies carried out with the NAS after its cross-cultural adaptation and validation for the Portuguese population. The nursing workload at the patient level was higher in the first 24 h of ICU stays. Because of the ‘administrative and management activities’ related to the ‘patient discharge procedures’, the last 24 h of ICU stays also presented high levels of nursing workload. The implementation of a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:1 may contribute to safer nurse staffing and to improve patient safety in this Tertiary (level 3) ICU.     

护理活动评分系统在ICU人力资源管理中的应用

目的探讨护理活动评分系统在ICU人力资源管理中的应用效果。方法采用护理活动评估量表（nursing activities scale,NAS）测量在本院ICU住院的149例病人的护理工作量,根据工作量计算护士人数,并预见性地合理安排每班护士人数。结果 ICU病人当天需要的护理工作量得分最低为30.50分,最高为129.70分,平均（53.23±18.12）分。所需护患比为1～2∶1的占了68.73%。实施护理活动评分系统后护理不良事件总发生率为18.12%,明显少于实施前33.12%,实施前后比较,χ2=8.909,P〈0.001,差异具有统计学意义。结论 ICU护士人力应以所收治病人实际需要的护理工作量进行动态合理分配。采用护理活动评分系统进行人力资源管理可提高ICU护理质量。     

Factors associated with nursing workload in adult intensive care units

This study was aimed both at analyzing the nursing workload on the first day of admission of patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and the factors associated with it. This is a qualitative, retrospective, cross-section study that was carried out in April of 2002 and October of 2004. The data were taken from a database that gathered information from 5 ICUs from two private hospitals and the sample was comprised of 214 adult patients that remained in the ICU for at least 24 hours. The total Nursing Activities Score (NAS) average was 69.9%, and the median 68.0%. According to the median, it was verified that 109 (50.9%) individuals required heavy nursing attention and the remaining 105 (49.1%) required less attention. The severity of the illness, the patient's age and the kind of treatment were not factors associated with nursing workload in the first 24 hours at the ICU.     

Pressure ulcers in ICU patients: Incidence and clinical and epidemiological features: A multicenter study in southern Brazil

ObjectivesTo evaluate the incidence and risk factors of pressure ulcers (PU) in adult patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), as well as the outcome (including ICU and hospital mortality) of these patients.MethodsEpidemiological cohort multicenter prospective study, evaluating patients admitted for a period of 31 days (June 01 to July 01, 2015) until hospital discharge. Epidemiological and clinical data were collected daily until ICU discharge, as was the incidence of PU, either new or present on admission.Setting10 general adult ICUs.ResultsWe evaluated 332 patients, 52.1% male, mean age 63.1 years. The most common cause of admission was medical diseases (50.3%), and the mean APACHE II score was 14.9. A total of 45 patients (13.6%) had PU; the most common sites were sacral, calcaneal, ears, and trochanter. The incidence of PU was related to predictive factors, such as the Braden Scale and length of lack of nutrition. The presence of PU was strongly related to unfavorable outcomes, such as Mechanical Ventilation (MV) duration and ICU and hospital mortality.ConclusionsPU incidence is related to severity of the patient’s condition and predicted by Braden Scale score. The presence of PU is also related to adverse outcomes, such as MV duration and ICU and hospital mortality. It was also shown that patients with PU have a higher incidence of medical complications, such as acute renal failure, pneumonia, and the need for vasoactive drugs.     

Risk factors for prolonged stay in cardiac surgery intensive care units

Aims and objectives: To identify the factors that might affect the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU‐LOS) among cardiac surgery patients. Background: ICU‐LOS forms an important factor for assessing the effectiveness of the provided nursing care. A number of factors can be accused for increasing patient hospitalization. The nursing workload (NWL), among others, was found to play a significant role as it is closely associated with the quality of care. Design: An observational cohort study among 313 consecutive patients who were admitted to the cardiac surgery intensive care unit of a general, tertiary hospital of Athens, Greece from November 2008 to November 2009. Methods: Data collection was performed by using a short questionnaire (for basic demographic information) and two instruments, the Nursing Activities Score (NAS) and the logistic EuroSCORE, for assessing the NWL and the perioperative risk for each patient respectively. Results: ICU‐LOS of more than 2 days increased with age and was more common among females (p < 0·001 and p = 0·02, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a positive association between increased perioperative risk and the increased ICU‐LOS [odd ratio (OR) 1·9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·0–3·5, p = 0·04], while patients with a first day NAS of more than 61·6% had an almost 5·2 times greater probability to stay in the cardiac surgery unit for more than 2 days (OR 5·2, 95% CI 3·0–8·8, p < 0·001). Conclusions: Increased level of NWL and patient perioperative risk are closely associated with increased ICU‐LOS. Relevance to clinical practice: The correlation between patient perioperative risk and ICU‐LOS encourages the early identification of high‐risk patients for prolonged hospitalization. Furthermore, the relationship between NWL and ICU‐LOS allows the early identification of these patients with the use of an independent nursing tool.     

褥疮影响因素分析及护理对策

目的 通过了解和分析影响褥疮发生的主要因素,提高护理效率,降低褥疮的发生率。 方法 应用非条件Logistic回归分析,对收集到褥疮高发人群相关数据进行单因素和多因素分析。结果 单因素分析显示,年龄、BMI、卧床时间、Braden评分、陪护人员褥疮防护知识知晓情况和康复训练6个因素均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。其中,较低Braden评分具有高度危险作用(OR=9.10);高龄,肥胖和卧床时间也是褥疮发生的危险因素(OR值分别为0.44,0.38和0.02);陪护人员褥疮知识知晓情况和参与康复训练具有保护作用(OR值分别为0.13和0.14)。多因素分析显示,影响褥疮发生的主要因素包括：康复训练、Braden评分、年龄和BMI4个因素,其中康复训练的具有较高保护作用。 结论 褥疮发生的主要影响因素是Braden评分和康复训练,加强对高龄和肥胖等高发人群的护理能有效减低褥疮的总体发生率。     

Mortality after discharge from intensive care: the impact of organ system failure and nursing workload use at discharge

OBJECTIVES: Mortality after ICU discharge accounts for approx. 20-30% of deaths. We examined whether post-ICU discharge mortality is associated with the presence and severity of organ dysfunction/failure just before ICU discharge. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study used the database of the EURICUS-II study, with a total of 4,621 patients, including 2,958 discharged alive to the general wards (post-ICU mortality 8.6%). Over a 4-month period we collected clinical and demographic characteristics, including the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS II), Nine Equivalents of Nursing Manpower Use Score, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. RESULTS: Those who died in the hospital after ICU discharge had a higher SAPS II score, were more frequently nonoperative, admitted from the ward, and had stayed longer in the ICU. Their degree of organ dysfunction/failure was higher (admission, maximum, and delta SOFA scores). They required more nursing workload resources while in the ICU. Both the amount of organ dysfunction/failure (especially cardiovascular, neurological, renal, and respiratory) and the amount of nursing workload that they required on the day before discharge were higher. The presence of residual CNS and renal dysfunction/failure were especially prognostic factors at ICU discharge. Multivariate analysis showed only predischarge organ dysfunction/failure to be important; thus the increased use of nursing workload resources before discharge probably reflects only the underlying organ dysfunction/failure. CONCLUSIONS: It is better to delay the discharge of a patient with organ dysfunction/failure from the ICU, unless adequate monitoring and therapeutic resources are available in the ward.     

Nursing workload in intensive care units: a study using the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28).

The Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28) is an instrument that has been used to measure severity of illness and nursing workload in intensive care units (ICUs). OBJECTIVES: To characterize the severity of illness and nursing workload using the TISS-28 in 11 ICUs of a university hospital in the city of S?o Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: In a prospective study, data were collected from 271 patients admitted to the ICUs in December 2000 and the patients were followed up for 1 week. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients were males (60.0%) and their mean age was 51(+20.6) years. Surgical treatment (66.8%) and admissions from the operating room were predominant. The mortality rate was 25.0% and the average length of stay was 7.7 (+10.4) days. The mean TISS-28 score was 23 (range: 14-32 points). The lowest mean score was observed for patients from the Burn ICU and the highest mean score was obtained for patients from the Liver Transplant ICU. A change in TISS-28 scores was observed in the same ICU over the 7-day study period. Units differed in terms of severity of illness and nursing workload. Patients who died received a higher TISS-28 score than patients who survived (p=0.00). As the nursing staff are the largest economic investment in an ICU, so measuring nursing workload in different ICUs from different centres can contribute to the estimation of nursing staff required according to the specific demands of the units.     

Nursing activities score (NAS): A proposal for practical application in intensive care units

For over 30 years in an attempt to demonstrate the cost-benefit ratio of the intensive care unit (ICU) a variety of tools have been developed to measure not only the severity of illness of the patient but also to capture the true cost of nursing workload. In this context, the nursing activities score (NAS) was developed as a result of modifications to the therapeutic interventions scoring system-28 (TISS-28). The NAS is a tool to measure nursing workload ICU and it has been shown to be twice as effective in measuring how nurses spend their time caring for critically ill patients than the TISS-28. This paper discuss the introduction of the NAS into everyday use in an intensive care unit in Brazil and highlights the challenges of standardisation of operational definitions, training requirements and accurate completion of the documentation when using such a tool. The rationale and steps undertaken to achieve this are outlined and the benefits of such a process are highlighted.     

The reliability and validity of the therapeutic activity index

PURPOSE: To assess the psychometric properties of the Simplified Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS 28) scale. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational design was used. Patients were recruited from a medical-surgical intensive care unit (ICU) and 4 rehabilitation wards of 2 university-affiliated hospitals in Hong Kong. RESULTS: Data necessary for the calculation of the TISS 28, the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (TISS 76), and severity of illness scoring system (Simplified Acute Physiology Score [SAPS II]) were recorded for each patient during the first 24 hours after his/her admission to an ICU. A significant positive correlation was found between the TISS 76 and the TISS 28 scores as well as the TISS 28 and the SAPS II scores. There was a significant difference between the TISS 28 scores among ICU patients and patients in rehabilitation wards. A significant correlation was found between the TISS 28 scores of the first and second set of TISS 28 scores. CONCLUSIONS: Although the findings supported the validity and reliability of the TISS 28, there were limitations of the TISS 28 in measuring nursing workload in ICUs. Hence, continued amendment and validation of the TISS 28 on larger samples in different ICUs would be required so as to provide clinical nurses with a valid and reliable assessment of nursing workload.     

Measuring the nursing workload per shift in the ICU

Purpose

In the intensive care unit (ICU) different strategies and workload measurement tools exist to indicate the number of nurses needed. The gathered information is always focused on manpower needed per 24?h. However, a day consists of several shifts, which may be unequal in nursing workload. The aim of this study was to evaluate if differences in nursing workload between consecutive shifts can be identified by a nursing workload measurement tool.

Methods

The nursing activities score (NAS) was registered per patient for every shift during a 4-week period in a prospective, observational research project in the surgical-pediatric ICU (SICU-PICU) and medical ICU (MICU) of an academic hospital.

Results

The NAS was influenced by the patient characteristics and the type of shift. Furthermore, the scores were lower during night shifts, in weekends and in MICU patients. Overall, the mean NAS per nurse per shift was 85.5?%, and the NAS per 24?h was 54.7?%.

Conclusion

This study has shown that the nursing workload can be measured per working shift. In the ICU, the NAS differentiates the nursing workload between shifts, patients and units.     

不同量表在测量ICU护理工作量中的应用

目的 了解应用护理活动评估量表(nursing activities score,NAS)和治疗干预评分系统28版(simplified therapeutic intervention scoring system,TISS-28)测量ICU护理工作量情况,分析两种量表间的一致性.方法 选择在自贡市两所医院ICU住院治疗的305例患者,同时应用TISS-28量表和NAS量表测量ICU护理工作量,分析两种量表间的一致性及测算两所医院ICU护患比.结果 两所医院应用TISS-28量表和NAS量表测量ICU的护理工作量比较,r=0.808,P＜0.001;r=0.925,P＜0.001,两种量表具有一定的相关性.其所测得两所医院的护患比比较,均P＞ 0.05,差异无统计学意义.结论 TISS-28量表和NAS量表内在一致性较好,具有简单、快速、有效的优势,可选择任何一种量表测量ICU护理工作量,为ICU护理人力资源的有效管理提供数据支持.     

Measuring nursing workload in neonatal intensive care

AIM: To determine if a suitable method of measuring nursing workload could be developed in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). BACKGROUND: Nursing is a multifunctioning activity and previous methods measuring the demand for nurses do not put enough emphasis on the individual capabilities. The reporting of NICU activity has traditionally been related to bed occupancy and the number of infants requiring ventilator support. A classification system based on activity, hours of care and nursing staff ratios has been used; however, it does not consider the clinical ability of the individual nurses. METHODS: A 5-month prospective study was undertaken in which nurses in two NICUs scored their patients' level of dependency and professional assessment of the level of intensity of care required by the infants in each shift. In addition, serial measures of severity of illness scores for each patient were collected. KEY ISSUES: The study identified methods of measuring workload that consider the individual nurse's ability and contributing organizational factors. We found that the estimates of nursing hours using the two traditional dependency measures did not match the current practice or take into account the skill of the nurses. A method in which the nurses indicated the intensity of nursing care required by their patients was suitable one for capturing their individual capabilities. System factors were also found to contribute to the nursing workload. CONCLUSIONS: It is not sufficient to use patient acuity or severity of illness alone. Other factors such as the nurse's assessment of the intensity of care required and the organizational factors are important components of workload estimates.     

单项直接护理操作工作时间测量的影响因素研究

目的探讨单项直接护理操作工作时间测量的主要影响因素，为合理进行护理工作量测量提供参考依据。方法对某综合性医院281例住院病人采用Barthel指数评定量表和急性生理功能和慢性健康疾病状况评估系统Ⅱ评价病人的自理能力和疾病严重度，记录实施单项护理操作护士的年资，观察并记录病人每一项直接护理操作项目所需时间。结果病人的自理能力、疾病严重度以及所在科室是影响一些单项直接护理操作工作时间的重要因素，护士年资对其影响无统计学意义。结论建议在护理工作时间测量中考虑这些影响因素，提高测量的准确性。     

Patient severity as an indicator of nursing workload in the intensive care unit

The importance of measuring nursing workload in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been supported by both an increasing demand for nursing personnel and the relationship of nursing workload with patient safety. According to previous studies, the correlation between clinical severity of ICU patients and nursing workload measured by Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System has been estimated to be particularly high. The aim of this study was to investigate whether clinical severity of ICU patients can be used for the prediction of nursing workload on a daily basis. All patients admitted in the ICU of the General University Hospital of Patras for a 5-month period were enrolled in the study. Projet de Recherche en Nursing (PRN) Réa and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores of patients were calculated, the first on a daily basis and the second on the day of admission. Simple linear regression was used for statistical analysis of data. One hundred thirty-eight patients were studied. A progressive increase in mean daily PRN Réa of patients all along the amplitude of APACHE II values was shown. APACHE II could predict 25.6% (p < 0.01) of the daily variability of PRN Réa of patients. Regarding categories of PRN Réa, respiration, communication, diagnostic methods and treatments were significantly predicted by APACHE II. APACHE II explained higher proportions of PRN Réa in medical male patients aged >60 years. Clinical severity of the ICU patients measured by APACHE II is an important early indicator of daily nursing workload, especially of care demands associated with respiration, diagnostic methods and treatments.     

Memory in relation to depth of sedation in adult mechanically ventilated intensive care patients

Objective To investigate the relationship between memory and intensive care sedation.Design and setting Prospective cohort study over 18 months in two general intensive care units (ICUs) in district university hospitals.Patients 313 intubated mechanically ventilated adults admitted for more than 24 h, 250 of whom completed the study.Measurements Patients (n = 250) were interviewed in the ward 5 days after discharge from the ICU using the ICU Memory Tool. Patient characteristics, doses of sedative and analgesic agents, and sedation scores as measured by the Motor Activity Assessment Scale (MAAS) were collected from hospital records after the interview.Results Patients with no recall (18%) were significantly older, had higher baseline severity of illness, and experienced fewer periods of wakefulness (median proportion of MAAS score 3; 0.37 vs. 0.70) than those who had memories of the ICU (82%). Multivariate analyses showed that increasing proportion of MAAS 0–2 and older age were significantly associated with having no recall. Patients with delusional memories (34%) had significantly longer ICU stay (median 6.6 vs. 2.2 days), higher baseline severity of illness, higher proportions of MAAS scores 4–6, and more administration of midazolam than those with recall of the ICU without delusional memories.Conclusions Heavy sedation increases the risk of having no recall, and longer ICU stay increases the risk of delusional memories. The depth of sedation during total ICU stay as recorded with the MAAS may predict the probability of having memories of the ICU.     

APACHE II评分在脊柱手术患者中的护理干预指导分析

目的探讨APACHEⅡ评分在脊柱手术患者中的护理干预指导方法与效果。方法脊柱手术患者30例在护理前进行APACHEⅡ评分,观察预后死亡情况,同时使用护理活动评分（NAS）对护理干预进行评价。结果经过治疗与护理后,存活27例,死亡3例,死亡率为10．0％。同时APACHEⅡ不同分数段脊柱手术患者病死率与NAS得分随着APACHEⅡ分值的升高而增加（P〈0．05）。通过Pearson相关分析,APACHEⅡ得分与NAS得分呈显著正相关（P〈0．05）。结论APACHEⅡ评分能较好地评估脊柱手术患者病情的严重程度,在预测护理工作量有较好的应用价值。