Impact of active breaks Impact of the implementation of active breaks on the clinical productivity of nurses in Peru
Impacto de la implementación de pausas activas en la productividad asistencial de enfermeros del PerúMain Article Content
Introduction. In Peruvian hospitals, nursing staff face prolonged work shifts and high care loads, conditions that negatively impact their physical performance and productivity. Objective. To evaluate the impact of implementing active breaks on nursing care productivity in public hospitals in Peru. Methodology. Cross-sectional quantitative study conducted between January-December 2023 with stratified random sampling of 245 nurses from 8 public hospitals in Lima. A 10-minute active break program was applied every 4 hours for 3 months. Productivity was measured through care indicators (attention time, medication errors, patient satisfaction) and staff well-being (fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, job satisfaction). Statistical analysis with SPSS v28, including paired t-test and multiple regression (p < 0.05). Results. 78% of participants were women, mean age 32.4 ± 8.1 years. Post-intervention showed significant reduction in average attention time per patient (45.2 vs 38.7 minutes; p < 0.001), decrease in medication errors (15.3% vs 8.9%; p = 0.002), and increase in patient satisfaction (7.2 vs 8.4 points; p < 0.001). Musculoskeletal pain was reduced in 68% of participants and work fatigue decreased significantly (6.8 vs 4.2 points; p < 0.001). Conclusions. Implementation of active breaks significantly improves care productivity and nursing staff well-being. Its systematic incorporation into hospital protocols is recommended as a continuous improvement strategy and occupational health promotion in the Peruvian health system.
Introducción. En los hospitales peruanos, el personal de enfermería enfrenta jornadas laborales prolongadas y cargas asistenciales altas, condiciones que impactan negativamente su rendimiento físico y productividad. Objetivo. Evaluar el impacto de la implementación de pausas activas en la productividad asistencial del personal de enfermería en hospitales públicos del Perú. Metodología. Estudio cuantitativo transversal realizado entre enero-diciembre 2023 con muestreo aleatorio estratificado de 245 enfermeros de 8 hospitales públicos de Lima. Se aplicó un programa de pausas activas de 10 minutos cada 4 horas durante 3 meses. Se midió productividad mediante indicadores asistenciales (tiempo de atención, errores de medicación, satisfacción del paciente) y bienestar del personal (fatiga, dolor musculoesquelético, satisfacción laboral). Análisis estadístico con SPSS v28, incluyendo t-test pareado y regresión múltiple (p < 0,05). Resultados. El 78% de participantes fueron mujeres, edad media 32,4 ± 8,1 años. Post-intervención se observó reducción significativa del tiempo promedio de atención por paciente (45,2 vs 38,7 minutos; p < 0,001), disminución de errores de medicación (15,3% vs 8,9%; p = 0,002) y aumento en satisfacción del paciente (7,2 vs 8,4 puntos; p < 0,001). El dolor musculoesquelético se redujo en 68% de participantes y la fatiga laboral disminuyó significativamente (6,8 vs 4,2 puntos; p < 0,001). Conclusiones. La implementación de pausas activas mejora significativamente la productividad asistencial y el bienestar del personal de enfermería. Se recomienda su incorporación sistemática en los protocolos hospitalarios como estrategia de mejora continua y promoción de la salud ocupacional en el sistema de salud peruano.
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