Abstract
Objective
To measure and compare the nursing workload and the frequency of the items scored in the Nursing Activities Score (NAS) considering the different groups of BMI of patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICU).
Methods
Longitudinal study conducted in the ICU of a university hospital in São Paulo in which the BMI of patients was calculated by dividing the weight by the square of the height and the nursing workload was measured through the NAS.
Results
Analysis of 529 patients showed that the NAS did not differ between the groups according to the BMI. Obese patients demanded more time for hygiene procedures and more people to support the mobilization/positioning process. Underweight patients received treatment for improving lung function with a higher frequency.
Conclusion
The results showed no difference in the nursing workload when the BMI of the patient was considered.
Intensive care units; Workload; Body mass index; Obesity; Nursing care