Absenteeism and the Technical Safety Index of a tertiary hospital nursing team

Abstract

Objective: To identify the nursing team absenteeism rate, calculate the Technical Safety Index and compare them to the percentage established by the Federal Nursing Council. Method: A descriptive, analytical, and retrospective study which included nursing professionals working in a public and tertiary hospital. The Human Resources Department database of the Institution was used for data collection. Absenteeism was considered as any unplanned absence. Results: Ninety-nine (99) professionals participated, of which 21 were nurses and 78 were nursing technicians. Weekly days off prevailed among the expected absences, with 17% for both categories. Maternity leave prevailed among nurses and medical leave among nursing technicians regarding absenteeism, with averages of 12% and 9%, respectively. The Technical Safety Index was 42% for nurses and 38% for nursing technicians. Conclusion: The nursing teams absenteeism rate was 21.5%, while the Technical Safety Index was 40%, thus constituting higher values than those established by the Federal Nursing Council.

Absenteísmo da equipe de enfermagem de um hospital público e terciário: etiologia e fatores associados [Absenteeism of nursing team from a public tertiary hospital: etiology and associated factors] [Ausentismo del personal de enfermería de un hospital público y terciario: etiología y factores associados]

“…O percentual total de absenteísmo da equipe de enfermagem foi de 10,56%, portanto, superior ao estipulado pelo COFEN. O envelhecimento dos trabalhadores, a concessão de benefícios e a estabilidade aos profissionais atuantes em instituições públicas podem justificar esse achado 2,40 .…”

“…De fato, a qualidade em saúde é definida como "o uso eficiente dos recursos físicos e humanos, com o mínimo de risco ao cliente e alto grau de satisfação dos usuários". Esse conceito apresenta características particulares por ter a dimensão humana como aspecto fundamental para o alcance das metas estabelecidas, já que a deficiência de recursos materiais gera precariedade das condições de trabalho, mas a existência dos melhores recursos materiais não garante qualidade se não houver recursos humanos adequados 2,18,19 . Dessa forma, condutas para gestão de pessoas e melhorias da assistência reduzem danos ao paciente 17,[20][21][22] .…”

Dimensões laborais, éticas e políticas do dimensionamento de pessoal de enfermagem diante da COVID-19

“…12 The purpose of the TSI is to assign an additional value to the nursing staff to cover expected and unanticipated absences from the team 12 which, in the context of a pandemic, due to overwork and dismissal/admission of workers, increased proportions of absences are expected. More than this, it is important to note that a recent study conducted before the advent of COVID-19 in the interior of São Paulo estimated an TSI around 40% (42% for nurses and 38% for nursing technicians), 41 i.e., even outside the context of the pandemic, absenteeism is a clear reality of nursing and may be related to workload and understaffing. 42 There is an estimated deficit of 23,961 nursing professionals in Brazil, 8,430 nurses and 15,531 technicians/auxiliaries, 41 which hampers the adequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and care outside it.…”

“…More than this, it is important to note that a recent study conducted before the advent of COVID-19 in the interior of São Paulo estimated an TSI around 40% (42% for nurses and 38% for nursing technicians), 41 i.e., even outside the context of the pandemic, absenteeism is a clear reality of nursing and may be related to workload and understaffing. 42 There is an estimated deficit of 23,961 nursing professionals in Brazil, 8,430 nurses and 15,531 technicians/auxiliaries, 41 which hampers the adequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and care outside it. During the pandemic, 8,680 complaints were received by the Regional Nursing Councils, which referred especially to the shortage of PPE, followed by the shortage of nursing professionals.…”

Cultura de segurança do paciente segundo a equipe de enfermagem de um hospital terciário

“…Esses achados refletem o perfil de profissionais de enfermagem de serviços públicos, cuja estabilidade se reflete em maior faixa etária e maior tempo de atuação. 30 Nesse sentido, há pontos favoráveis e desfavoráveis referentes a cultura de segurança do paciente, como o maior conhecimento sobre as condições de seu trabalho e dificuldades ou resistência a mudanças.…”