Time management in the work process of nurses in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Objective: to analyze time management by nurses in direct and indirect care interventions, in work-related and personal activities. Method: this quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Intensive Care Unit of a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro in January 2017. Direct observations were made of nurses’ activities in 18 shifts, totaling 216 hours. Mello's “Workload Measuring Tool” was used to structure the observations. Results: 21.5% of nurses' time was devoted to direct care, 44.7% to indirect care, 6.1% to work-related activities and 27.7% to personal activities. Conclusion: nurses spend most of their time on activities unrelated to direct patient care. These findings can be useful to managers in reviewing and adjusting both staffing in direct and indirect care and the unit’s work process.