Nursing workload in the intensive care unit pediatric specialist as criteria for sizing of staff

Objective: To assess the nursing workload (CTE) in the pediatric intensive care unit specialized in the care of children with craniofacial anomalies and associated syndromes, as a criterion for sizing of staff. Method: A prospective study in a pediatric intensive care unit at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, in the months of May and June 2013. The sample consisted of 29 patients. The inclusion criterion was staying longer than 24 hours in the unit. Initially the nursing workload was measured through the Nursing Activies Score (NAS) and later compared to the sizing of personnel according to the Resolution of the Federal Nursing Council - COFEN - 293/04, and the sociodemographics of the sample (age, sex, medical diagnosis, origin and length of stay). Statistical analysis employed the Student’s t test, analysis of variance and Pearson correlation, at a significance level of 5% (p > .05). Results: The mean NAS was 90.86%. The occupancy rate was 60%. Analysis of the relationship between CTE according to NAS sociodemographic variables revealed no significant differences. Sizing of staff according to NAS and under Resolution COFEN - 293/04 were similar (5 employees per shift). Conclusion: The sizing of staff according to workload through NAS was similar to that advocated by COFEN. This highlights the relationship between workload and capacity of staff.Ministério da SaúdeMinistério da Educaçã