Dataset Information

The Characterization of the Toll of Caring for Coronavirus Disease 2019 on ICU Nursing Staff.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic exercised a significant demand on healthcare workers. We aimed to characterize the toll of caring for coronavirus disease 2019 patients by registered nurses.

Design

An observational study of two registered nurses cohorts.

Setting

ICUs in a large academic center.

Subjects

Thirty-nine ICU registered nurses assigned to coronavirus disease 2019 versus noncoronavirus disease 2019 patients.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and main results

Skin temperature (t [°C]), galvanic skin stress response (GalvStress), blood pulse wave, energy expenditure (Energy [cal]), number of steps (hr^-1), heart rate (min^-1), and respiratory rate (min^-1) were collected using biosensors during the shift. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Loading Index measured the subjective perception of an assignment load. Elevated skin temperatures during coronavirus disease 2019 shifts were recorded (Δt_COVID vs t_non-COVID = +1.3 [°C]; 95% CI, 0.1-2.5). Registered nurses staffing coronavirus disease patients self-reported elevated effort (ΔEffort_COVID vs Effort_non-COVID = +28.6; 95% CI, 13.3-43.9) concomitant with higher energy expenditure (ΔEnergy_COVID vs Energy_non-COVID = +21.5 [cal/s]; 95% CI, 4.2-38.7). Galvanic skin stress responses were more frequent among coronavirus disease registered nurse (ΔGalStress_COVID vs GalvStress_non-COVID = +10.7 [burst/hr]; 95% CI, 2.6-18.7) and correlated with self-reported increased mental burden (ΔTLXMental_COVID vs ΔTLXMental_non-COVID = +15.3; 95% CI, 1.0-29.6).

Conclusions

There are indications that registered nurses providing care for coronavirus disease 2019 in the ICU reported increased thermal discomfort coinciding with elevated energy expenditure and a more pronounced self-perception of effort, stress, and mental demand.

SUBMITTER: Laudanski K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8021378 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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