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A Pilot Study to Examine the Relationship Between Napping and Fatigue in Nurses Practicing on the Night Shift. Neville Kathleen,Velmer Gillian,Brown Shari,Robol Nancy The Journal of nursing administration OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of night-shift napping on fatigue. BACKGROUND:Nurses' fatigue, especially at night, interferes with quality of life and job performance and impacts safety and health. METHODS:Night-shift nurses completed the Brief Fatigue Inventory and a demographic information sheet to determine differences in fatigue between nurses who napped during their night shift as compared with nurses who did not nap. RESULTS:No statistically significant differences in global fatigue were found; differences in rotating shift, age, and, gender were identified. Rotating shifts, a 2nd job, and caring for family predicted fatigue. CONCLUSIONS:Based on this pilot study, further investigations of fatigue among night-shift nurses are needed as well as evidence-based support to promote sleep. 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000546
[How are leisure activity and shiftwork schedule associated with recovery from fatigue in shiftwork nurses?]. Kubo Tomohide,Takahashi Masaya,Sallinen Mikael,Kubo Yoshiko,Suzumura Hatsuko Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi = Journal of occupational health OBJECTIVES:The period of leisure is an appropriate time to recover from work-induced fatigue, though some recovery takes place during rest breaks at work. Recently, much attention has been paid to the critical role of leisure activity in recovery. However, the findings relevant to shiftwork nurses who cannot take a day-off regularly are limited. This study explored how leisure activity during days off and shift work schedule are associated with recovery from fatigue in nurses working rotating shifts. METHODS:A total of 426 nurses working rotating shifts at a university hospital returned a questionnaire regarding leisure activity and fatigue (response rate: 81.5%). Nurses were eligible for this study if they were female, worked 2 or 3 shifts, and had no missing data. A total of 390 respondents satisfied the inclusion criteria. A factor analysis classified their responses on how to spend an assumed period of two consecutive days off into three activity types: outdoor-, sleep-, and indoor-oriented. Fatigue (recovery from fatigue, accumulated fatigue, burnout), work conditions (working time, overtime, nightshift napping), sleep (sleep duration before day shift or day off, sleepiness) were measured. These data were analyzed using a two-way mixed model analysis of covariance (type [outdoor, sleep, indoor], shift schedule [two or three-shift system]). Covariates included age, length of career, partner, children, and hospital ward. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the factors determining the level of fatigue. RESULTS:Outdoor-oriented nurses showed significantly faster fatigue recovery, lower accumulated fatigue and less burnout symptoms than others, regardless of the shiftwork schedule. In contrast, sleep-oriented nurses showed significantly slower recovery from fatigue. Besides, their level of fatigue deteriorated more when they worked under a 3-shift system (counter-clockwise) compared with under 2-shift system (with mainly 16-hour nightshift). Multiple regression analysis indicated that sleep-oriented type of leisure activity, workload perception of working time, work-induced insomnia and length of nightshift naps were significantly related to fatigue-related outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:The primary finding of this study suggests that the level of fatigue is associated with the type of leisure activity, especially sleep-oriented activity, during shiftwork nurses' days off. Also, ensuring sufficient nightshift nap time may be one of the most important nightshift-related factors for recovery from fatigue. The present findings may have implications for appropriate activities during days off as factors facilitating recovery from work, though further investigations are needed to examine the causal links. 10.1539/sangyoeisei.b12004
Covid-19 Effects on the Mental Workload and Quality of Work Life in Iranian Nurses. Nikeghbal Kiana,Kouhnavard Bahram,Shabani Ali,Zamanian Zahra Annals of global health Introduction:The mental health of people working in Covid-19 wards (nurses, doctors, etc.) may be compromised due to the specific conditions of the workplace and patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mental burden and quality of work life in nurses in intensive care units of Covid-19 patients. Method:In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 200 people-100 nurses in care units for patients with COVID-19 (group 1) and 100 nurses in non-COVID-19 patient care units (group 2-in three university hospitals were obtained. These 200 samples were randomly extracted from the list of employees and selected. Data were collected using three questionnaires, including (1) a demographic, (2) the NASA-Task Load Index (1988) (Hart & Staveland, 1988) and (3) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Quality of Life. Data were analyzed using SPSS-24 software and descriptive and analytical statistical methods. Results:The overall mean scores of nurses' quality of work life were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). The average score of quality of life in nurses caring for patients with COVID-19 is 92.57, more than nurses caring for patients without COVID-19, 79.43. Among the dimensions of mental workload: Performance and efficiency, with an average score of 77.32 ± 15.85, had the highest score, while discouragement and failure, with an average score of 58.04 ± 26.72, had the lowest score of mental workload. There is a significant difference between the mental load of work in the two groups (P = 0.001). There is a significant inverse relationship between total quality of work life and total mental workload (r = -14 and P = 0.01). Conclusion:In this study, it was observed that nurses caring for Covid-19 patients are in a more unfavorable situation in terms of the studied characteristics. Due to the work period, these nurses have a high workload and a low quality of work life to compensate for the mental and physical deficiencies required by a long presence in the work environment. 10.5334/aogh.3386
Increased nurse workload is associated with bloodstream infections in very low birth weight infants. Küng Erik,Waldhör Thomas,Rittenschober-Böhm Judith,Berger Angelika,Wisgrill Lukas Scientific reports Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI). Nurse workload considerably affects infection rates in intensive care units. However, data concerning the impact of staff workload on bloodstream infections (BSI) in VLBWI are scarce. The aim of the study was to examine the association between nurse workload and BSI in VLBWI. VLBWI admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit during 2016-2017 were retrospectively analysed. Association between nurse workload, determined by a standardized nursing score, and the BSI occurrence was investigated. A higher nurse workload was significantly associated with higher occurrence of BSI (p = 0.0139) in VLBWI. An assumed workload of 120% or higher, representing the need for additional nurses in our NICU setting, is associated with an elevated risk for BSI in this vulnerable population OR 2.32 (95% CI: 1.42-3.8, p = 0.0005). In conclusion, nurse understaffing is associated with a higher risk for BSI in VLBWI. 10.1038/s41598-019-42685-x
The associations of workload, individual and organisational factors on nurses' occupational injuries. Bagheri Hosseinabadi Majid,Khanjani Narges,Etemadinezhad Siavash,Samaei Seyed Ehsan,Raadabadi Mehdi,Mostafaee Maryam Journal of clinical nursing AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:To determine the prevalence and type of occupational injuries in nurses and their associations with workload, working shift, and nurses' individual and organisational factors. BACKGROUND:Nurses are vulnerable to occupational injuries due to the nature of their job. DESIGN:A cross-sectional correlational design (based on STROBE Statement) was conducted. METHODS:This study was conducted among 616 nurses of four public hospitals located in four different provinces in Iran. Data were collected using three questionnaires including an organisational and demographic questionnaire, an occupational injuries checklist and the NASA-TLX questionnaire (about mental workload). Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and multivariate logistic regression were used in SPSS version 23.0 for statistical analysis. RESULTS:Blood and body fluid exposures had the highest prevalence (47.4%) among all injuries. Needlestick injuries showed a significant relation with gender, age, number of shifts in a month and work experience. With increase in mental workload, needlestick injuries increase by 35%. Also, injuries reported by nurses working in rotating shifts were 15%-53% more than nurses working in fixed shifts. CONCLUSION:Working in rotating shifts and work overload was significantly related to all injuries. Decreasing nurses' mental workload, introducing guidelines and efficient training in shift work schedules can help decrease occupational injuries among nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:In order to reduce occupational injuries among nurses, in addition to incorporating advanced management and technology, it is necessary to pay attention to psychosocial, individual and organisational risk factors related to occupational injuries and their frequency in nurses. Also, reducing personnel's mental and occupational pressure should be considered. 10.1111/jocn.14699
Variability, shift-specific workloads and rationed care predictors of work satisfaction among Registered nurses providing acute care: A longitudinal study. Abed Al Ahad Mary,Elbejjani Martine,Simon Michael,Ausserhofer Dietmar,Abu-Saad Huijer Huda,Dhaini Suzanne R Nursing open AIMS:The aim of this study was to explore nurses' shift-work satisfaction variability across time and its shift-specific predictors: perceived workload, patient-to-nurse ratio and rationing of nursing care. DESIGN:Longitudinal study of 90 Registered nurses (N = 1,303 responses) in a Lebanese hospital over 91 days of data collection. METHODS:Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were computed to determine shift-work satisfaction variability between individual nurses and working-unit clusters. Generalized linear mixed models were used to explore the workloads and rationed care predictors of nurses' shift-work satisfaction separately for day and night shifts. RESULTS:Variability in shift-work satisfaction was noted between individual nurses in day (ICC = 0.43) and night shifts (ICC = 0.37), but not between medical/surgical units. Nurses satisfied with their shift-specific work were less probably to ration necessary nursing care (OR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.60-0.77) in day shifts and to perceive high workload demands in both, day (OR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.23-0.37) and night (OR = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.18-0.47) shifts. Monitoring and lowering workload demands while observing rationing of care is necessary to improve nurses' shift-work satisfaction. 10.1002/nop2.1160
The impact of perceived workload on nurse satisfaction with work-life balance and intention to leave the occupation. Holland Peter,Tham Tse Leng,Sheehan Cathy,Cooper Brian Applied nursing research : ANR BACKGROUND AND AIM:In the drive to make the health sector more economically efficient and effective, what is potentially being lost is the need to look after the well-being of those who work within this profession. Nurses are the largest group in the health sector workforce and the frontline of patient care. Workload perceptions are known to be impacting nurses' well-being and are becoming a critical concern for the retention of this workforce. In response, this study aims to examine the relationships among perceived workload, satisfaction with work-life balance (an indicator of well-being), and intention to leave the occupation. Additionally, high involvement work practices (HIWPs) are examined as a form of organisational support that may buffer the negative impact of perceived workload on nurses' well-being and intention to leave the occupation. METHOD:A 2016 online survey of the nursing profession in Australia yielded 2984 responses. We assessed the impact of perceived workload on nurses' well-being and intention to leave the occupation, and the role of HIWPs in ameliorating the negative impact of perceived workload. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Our results show that perceived workload is associated with increasing intention to leave the occupation and is mediated by nurses' satisfaction with work-life balance. Where organisational support is provided through HIWPs, this can mitigate such intentions. These aspects are within the control of those who manage this workforce and should be central to human resource management strategies in the health care sector. 10.1016/j.apnr.2019.06.001
[Investigation of mental workload and related factors among nurses from tertiary hospitals in Shandong]. Ren Y B,Luan X R,Ma D D,Yang H,Wu N,Zhao L L Zhonghua lao dong wei sheng zhi ye bing za zhi = Zhonghua laodong weisheng zhiyebing zazhi = Chinese journal of industrial hygiene and occupational diseases To investigate mental workload among nurses from tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province, and analyze various factors related to mental workload. From May to July 2019, a cluster sampling method was used to select 8255 nurses from 20 third class a general hospitals in 16 cities of Shandong Province as the research objects, and 8159 valid questionnaires were collected. The general information and psychological load of nurses were investigated by general information questionnaire and task load index scale. The measurement data were expressed in percentage (%) ; the nurses' psychological load scores were in accordance with normal distribution, and the differences between groups were compared by t-test or ANOVA; the related influencing factors of nurses' psychological load were analyzed by multiple stepwise regression analysis. The average scores of mental workload among nurses was 77.83 (SD=12.88) . Time demands and physical demands were the two highest rated dimensions of mental workload. the average scores were 90.77 (SD=12.47) and 79.92 (SD=15.23) . Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that Satisfaction with income, monthly average night shift and professional titles were the significant predictors of mental workload ((2)=0.08) . Nurses with higher psychological load, lower income satisfaction, higher number of night shifts per month and lower title have higher psychological load. 10.3760/cma.j.cn121094-20191030-00508
Investigating the relationship between job stress, workload and oxidative stress in nurses. International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE Occupational stress and workload are common risk factors among nurses that increase absenteeism, reduce the quality and quantity of patient care, increase care costs and increase the patient safety risk. The relation between these risk factors and oxidative stress levels has not been clearly defined. This study was conducted with 258 participants (126 nurses as the case group and 132 healthy adults as the control group). Information was collected using a demographic questionnaire, the nurses' occupational stress scale and the NASA task load index workload questionnaire. Blood samples were taken from the participants and then the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in the serum samples. Independent tests and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. SOD and TAC were significantly higher and MDA was significantly lower among the case group compared to the control group. TAC levels significantly decreased with increased stress. MDA levels showed negative associations with stress and workload. Nurses experience high levels of occupational stress and workload. Biomarkers such as SOD, TAC and MDA are the most important predictors of work stress and overwork in this study. 10.1080/10803548.2021.1877456
Association of musculoskeletal disorders and workload with work schedule and job satisfaction among emergency nurses. Bazazan Ahmad,Dianat Iman,Bahrampour Samira,Talebian Amirhosein,Zandi Hojat,Sharafkhaneh Amir,Maleki-Ghahfarokhi Azam International emergency nursing BACKGROUND:The emergency department is a highly demanding work environment, considered by high workload and stress. The impact of work-related factors on musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in emergency nurses (ENs) are not yet well understood. We investigated the association of MSDs and workload with work schedule (permanent day and night work) and job satisfaction in ENs. METHOD:Data were collected through a questionnaire including individual and work-related factors, workload (National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index [NASA-TLX]) and MSDs (Standardized Nordic Questionnaire) from 380 ENs in five hospitals. RESULTS:The findings revealed that work schedule and job satisfaction levels were significantly associated with the MSDs in different body regions. Work schedule was significantly related to physical demand, performance, frustration, and overall workload, whereas it was not to the mental and temporal demands and effort. Job satisfaction level was negatively associated with mental demand and frustration. A high prevalence of musculoskeletal problems, particularly in knees, upper back, lower back, neck and shoulders were found. CONCLUSION:MSDs are highly prevalent among ENs involved in night work and with low job satisfaction levels. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for emergency hospital nurses. The findings can help to better understand the working conditions and emphasize the need for ergonomic interventions in order to reduce MSDs and workload. Also, the study findings highlight the importance of mental aspects of workload in this occupational group. 10.1016/j.ienj.2019.02.004
Examination of the psychological changes in nurses due to workload in an intensive care unit: a mixed method study. Turan Nazan,Ançel Gülsüm Contemporary nurse The workload is the impinged stress due to several inter-related factors, including the competence of the intensive care unit nurse. The objective of this study was to investigate the workload-related psychological changes in intensive care nurses. The study had a two-phase explanatory mixed method design. Data were collected through in-depth personal interviews and with other instruments. The obtained data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 and MAXQDA plus10. The workload of intensive care nurses was 315.8 per minute and the mean TISS 28 score was as high as 65.00. The in-depth interviews with intensive care nurses revealed that participants experienced professional stress due to high workload and went through psychological changes. The study findings demonstrate that psychological symptoms seen in intensive care nurses relate to a high workload. The results of this study can be used by hospital administrators to create a healthy work environment with a moderated workload and optimized shift schedules so that the mental well-being of nurses can be promoted. 10.1080/10376178.2020.1782762
Mental workload of frontline nurses aiding in the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent profile analysis. Journal of advanced nursing AIMS:To investigate the mental workload level of nurses aiding the most affected area during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and explore the subtypes of nurses regarding their mental workload. DESIGN:Cross-sectional study. METHODS:A sample of 446 frontline nurses participated from March 8 to 19, 2020. A latent profile analysis was performed to identify clusters based on the six subscales of the Chinese version of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index. The differences among the classes and the variables including sociodemographic characteristics, psychological capital and coping style were explored. RESULTS:The level of mental workload indicates that the nurses had high self-evaluations of their performance while under extremely intensive task loads. The following three latent subtypes were identified: 'low workload & low self-evaluation' (8.6%); 'medium workload & medium self-evaluation' (35.3%) and 'high workload & high self-evaluation' (56.1%) (Classes 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Nurses with shared accommodations, fewer years of practice, junior professional titles, lower incomes, nonmanagement working positions, lower psychological capital levels and negative coping styles had a higher likelihood of belonging to Class 1. In contrast, senior nurses with higher psychological capital and positive coping styles were more likely to belong to Classes 2 and 3. CONCLUSION:The characteristics of the 'low workload & low self-evaluation' subtype suggest that attention should be paid to the work pressure and psychological well-being of junior nurses. Further research on regular training program of public health emergency especially for novices is needed. Personnel management during public health events should be focused on the allocation between novice and senior frontline nurses. IMPACT:This study addresses the level of mental workload of frontline nurses who aid in the most severe area of the COVID-19 pandemic in China and delineates the characteristics of the subtypes of these nurses. 10.1111/jan.14769
The impact of an additional nurse assistant during evening shifts on nurses' perceptions of job demands, job resources and well-being. Scheepers Renée A,Smeulders Ilse-Marita,van den Broek Thijs Journal of advanced nursing AIM:Workloads and other job demands jeopardize nurses' well-being, especially during evening shifts when there are less resources than during the day. The current study aims to shed light on how the addition of a nurse assistant to ward staffing during evening shifts has an impact on nurses' perceptions of job demands, job resources, and well-being. DESIGN:We performed a pre-post pilot study, whereby we compared nurses' perceptions of job demands, job resources, and well-being before and after the addition of a nurse assistant to ward staffing during evening shifts. METHODS:All nurses at the ward of a top-clinical hospital (N = 28) completed a baseline and follow-up survey including validated measures on job demands (workload and physical demands), job resources (autonomy and task clarity), and well-being (recovery from work and sleep problems). RESULTS:Compared with baseline, nurses reported fewer job demands (lower workloads and fewer physical demands) and sleep problems at follow-up. No statistically significant changes in job resources (autonomy and task clarity) and recovery difficulties were found. CONCLUSIONS:We found preliminary evidence that the addition of a nurse assistant during evening shifts could reduce workloads, physical demands, and sleep problems among nurses. IMPACT:This study highlighted that heavy job demands and sleep problems associated with evening shifts may be addressed by adding a nurse assistant to the nursing team. Future studies with larger samples and a control group are needed to provide better estimates of the magnitude of the beneficial effects and of the cost-effectiveness of an intervention of this kind. 10.1111/jan.14698
The Buffering Effect of Perceived Organizational Support on the Relationships Among Workload, Work-Family Interference, and Affective Commitment: A Study on Nurses. The journal of nursing research : JNR BACKGROUND:Minimal research has been conducted to explore the associations among workload, work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict, support, and affective commitment. PURPOSE:This study was designed to explore the moderating role of perceived organizational support on the mediating effects of work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict in perceived workload, and affective commitment linkage. METHODS:The data were collected using a self-report survey from 164 nurses working at two public hospitals. The hypothesized model was tested using PROCESS macro. RESULTS:Perceived organizational support was found to influence the mediating effect of work-to-family conflict on the linkage between workload and affective commitment, yet not to moderate the mediating effect of family-to-work conflict. The results revealed that workload predicts affective commitment negatively and work-to-family conflict positively. However, perceived organizational support was found to change the effect that workload has on affective commitment. The negative effect of workload on affective commitment was found to be weaker for nurses with adequate organizational support. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:Perceived organizational support was found to have both main and buffering effects on the emotional attachment of nurses toward their organizations. The findings support the importance of creating supportive work settings to alleviate the adverse effects on nurses of workload and work-family interference. 10.1097/JNR.0000000000000419
Influence of perceived stress and workload on work engagement in front-line nurses during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of clinical nursing AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:To clarify both the potential influencing factors and the current status of front-line nurses' work engagement, and thus provide a reference for targeted interventions. BACKGROUND:After coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, front-line nurses embraced remarkable potential stress and huge workload when caring for coronavirus disease 2019 patients, which may lead to new challenges to work engagement. DESIGN:A large sample survey was conducted at the end of February 2020 in a designated hospital treating coronavirus disease 2019 patients in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, in China. t Test, one-way ANOVA, chi-squared test, Pearson's correlation and hierarchical multiple regression were performed among 1,040 nurses using SPSS 24.0. The STROBE checklist was followed for observational studies. RESULTS:The final model interpreted 27.3% of the variance, of which each block could explain 11.7%, 10.3% and 7.9% R changes including sociodemographic characteristics, stress and workload, respectively. Work engagement was negatively correlated with stress and workload. The potential influencing factors included sociodemographic characteristics (married, rescue staff, cabin ward), stress (infection control, PPE discomfort) and workload (mental demand, performance, frustration). CONCLUSIONS:Front-line nurses perceived low stress and workload, but high work engagement, especially in self-dedication. However, infection control, PPE discomfort and frustration were negatively associated with nurses' work engagement, while mental demand and good performance were positively associated with nurses' work engagement. Future interventions focused on decreasing front-line staff's infection risk and enhancing their self-confidence may be recommendable to promote their work engagement. 10.1111/jocn.15707
The effect of workload on nurses' quality of life with moderating perceived social support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ebrahimi Hossein,Jafarjalal Ezzat,Lotfolahzadeh Asghar,Kharghani Moghadam Seyedeh Melika Work (Reading, Mass.) BACKGROUND:Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, the number of patients admitted to hospitals and the workload of nurses has increased. High workload can reduce efficiency and quality of life. In the meantime the percived social support may had a moderating role. OBJECTIVE:The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of workload and perceived social support on quality of life in nurses who work in COVID-19 inpatient wards. METHODS:This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study. 336 nurses who worked in inpatient wards with COVID-19 patients were randomly selected and studied. NASA-TLX Workload Questionnaire, WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire and Multidimensional Social Support Perception Scale were used to data collection. Structural equation modelling in PLS software was used to modelling. RESULTS:The results showed that the average score of workload, perceived social support and quality of life were 80.87±20.17, 56.23±11.46 and 55.87±13.74, respectively. A significant inverse relationship was observed between workload and quality of life (P < 0.05). Also, perceived social support had a moderator effect on relationship between workload and quality of life (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:High workload can upset the balance between work and life that leads to decrease the quality of life. Perceived social support as a moderator can reduce the negative impact of workload on quality of life. In the COVID-19 pandemic where nurses' workload have increased, by increasing the perceived social support can manage the negative effect of workload. 10.3233/WOR-210559
The association between self-reported workload and perceptions of patient safety culture: A study of intensive care unit nurses. Alrabae Yaseen Mohammed A,Aboshaiqah Ahmad E,Tumala Regie B Journal of clinical nursing AIM AND OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to examine the association between workload and patient safety culture (PSC) among intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. BACKGROUND:ICU nurses play a vital role in promoting patient safety and are essential indicators in any healthcare system including ICUs. Research studies focusing on the relationship between nursing workload and PSC among ICU nurses are limited. DESIGN:Descriptive correlational design. METHODS:The study participants involved 380 ICU nurses at two hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between February 2019-April 2019 and were analysed using SPSS v.22 statistical software. This study was guided by the STROBE checklist. RESULTS:The results showed that ICU nurses have high positive perceptions in the following PSC subscales: teamwork within units, organisational learning-continuous improvement, frequency of events reported, feedback and communication about error, management support for patient safety, teamwork across units, supervisor/manager expectations and actions promoting patient safety, handoffs and transitions, nonpunitive response to errors, staffing and overall perceptions of patient safety. However, the participants collectively considered the overall grade on patient safety as poor. The participants had high mean scores in physical demand, effort, mental demand and overall workload. A statistically significant variability existed in the mean scores of the PSC subscales and workload of ICU nurses. The overall workload was significantly and negatively associated with the PSC perceptions of ICU nurses. CONCLUSION:The ICU nurses experienced high overall workload, physical demand, effort and mental demand which influenced the poor grade of their overall perceived PSC. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:Identifying differences and associations with the perceptions of ICU nurses regarding workload and PSC is important because such perceptions may affect their delivery of nursing care. Hospital and nursing administrators must use the study results to find strategies that address workload issues and enhance patient safety. 10.1111/jocn.15646
Occupational fatigue, workload and nursing teamwork in hospital nurses. Journal of advanced nursing AIMS:To evaluate the relationships between workload, nursing teamwork and nurse fatigue and the moderating effect of nursing teamwork on the relationship between workload and fatigue. DESIGN:This cross-sectional online survey study used data from 810 United States hospital nurses collected between March and April 2021. METHODS:Workload, nursing teamwork and fatigue were measured using the Quantitative Workload Inventory, the Nursing Teamwork Survey, and the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery scale. Hierarchical multiple linear regression models were used. RESULTS:All the nursing teamwork subscales (i.e. trust, team orientation, backup, shared mental model, team leadership) were significantly negatively related to acute and chronic fatigue. Nursing teamwork components of team orientation, shared mental model and team leadership moderated the relationship between workload and chronic fatigue. The relationships between workload and chronic fatigue were stronger when these components of nursing teamwork were high. No moderating effects were found with acute fatigue. CONCLUSION:Efforts to increase nursing teamwork may be a promising strategy in managing nurse fatigue. It is equally important to monitor and modify high workload to protect nurses from elevated fatigue. IMPACT:WHAT PROBLEM DID THE STUDY ADDRESS?: Fatigue is negatively associated with the health and safety of hospital nurses and patients. Nursing teamwork has been shown to improve the nursing care of hospitalized patients; yet, it is rarely explored in relation to nurse fatigue. WHAT WERE THE MAIN FINDINGS?: Greater nursing teamwork is significantly associated with lower acute and chronic fatigue. The relationships between workload and chronic fatigue were stronger when nursing teamwork (i.e. team orientation, shared mental model and team leadership) was high than when nursing teamwork was low. WHERE AND ON WHOM WILL THE RESEARCH HAVE AN IMPACT?: Improving nursing teamwork, in addition to monitoring and modifying workloads, can be a promising approach for managing fatigue in healthcare organizations. 10.1111/jan.15246
Nursing workload in intensive care units and the influence of patient and nurse characteristics. Moghadam Kolsoom Nasirizad,Chehrzad Minoo Mitra,Masouleh Shademan Reza,Mardani Abbas,Maleki Maryam,Akhlaghi Elham,Harding Celia Nursing in critical care BACKGROUND:Understanding factors that can potentially influence patient care and nursing workload in intensive care units is important. Previous studies have shown contradictory outcomes about the relationships between nursing workload and patient and nurse characteristics. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to investigate nursing workload in intensive care units and examine the association between this in relation to patient and nurse characteristics. DESIGN:A cross-sectional design was conducted. METHODS:All nurses who were working in the intensive care units of five hospitals and met the study criteria were enrolled in the study. Two demographic questionnaires collected nurse and patient demographic information. The Nursing Activities Score was applied to determine nursing workload in three shifts (morning, evening, night) for each nurse. Data were analysed using the independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and multivariable linear regression analysis. RESULTS:The Nursing Activities Score was calculated for 509 patients who were under the care of 105 intensive care unit nurses. The mean (SD) Nursing Activities Score was 72.84% (22.07%). Morning shifts, male patients, medical treatments, and referred patients from the emergency ward and other intensive care units imposed a higher workload for nurses. Specifically, female nurses, increased number of patients receiving care, and increased patient length of intensive care unit stay were directly associated with increased Nursing Activities Scores. Work in surgical and burn intensive care units were inversely associated with the Nursing Activities Score. CONCLUSION:This study suggests that the workload of nurses in intensive care units can be affected by both nurse and patient characteristics. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE:The findings can be used to ensure appropriate staffing of intensive care units by nurses. However, nurse and patient characteristics should not be considered the only factors that influence nursing workload in intensive care units. 10.1111/nicc.12548
Nurses' Perceptions of Workload Burden in Pediatric Critical Care. Lebet Ruth M,Hasbani Natalie R,Sisko Martha T,Agus Michael S D,Nadkarni Vinay M,Wypij David,Curley Martha A Q American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses BACKGROUND:Quantifying nurses' perceptions of workload burden when managing critically ill patients is essential for designing interventions to ease nurses' workday. OBJECTIVES:To explore pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurses' perceptions of their workload when caring for critically ill patients and managing protocolized therapies. METHODS:This study was embedded in a multicenter randomized clinical trial where participants were assigned to receive either lower-target or higher-target glucose control. Nurses from 35 participating PICUs completed a baseline survey containing questions about their perceptions of PICU workload in general. They completed an intervention survey after caring for a study patient. Two workload measurement instruments, the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (SWAT) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), were embedded in these surveys. RESULTS:Baseline surveys were completed by 1476 PICU nurses, predominantly female with a bachelor's degree and a median (interquartile range) of 6 (3-11) years of nursing experience and 4 (2-9) years of PICU experience. Most nurses (65%) rated time burden as the most important component of their workload, followed by cognitive (22%) or psychological stress (13%) burden. Work performance was selected most often as contributing to workload, followed by cognitive demand, time pressure, effort, and physical demand. Intervention surveys were completed by 73% of enrolled participants (505 of 693). Nurses managing the lower glucose target group reported higher levels of workload burden as measured by the SWAT (P = .002) and NASA-TLX (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS:This study describes the workload burden perceived by PICU nurses when managing critically ill patients in general and when managing protocolized therapies. 10.4037/ajcc2021725