Burnout prevalence in intensive care nurses in Argentina.

PURPOSE: Burnout syndrome among intensive care professionals has been widely documented internationally. Few studies address the incidence and prevalence in Latin America. And there are no validated studies about the situation in Argentina. Our goal was to determine burnout prevalence among intensive care nurses in Argentina and related risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Online self-administered survey evaluating demographic variables and the Maslach Burnout Inventory in 486 critical care nurses between June and September 2016.

RESULTS: A percentage of 84.4 of participants show moderate or high levels of burnout syndrome (95% CI 80.8 to 87.4). No significant association was found between burnout and gender, age, years of practice, academic degree, role or multiplicity of jobs. There was no statistical difference in burnout prevalence among different types of populations of care (neonatal, paediatric or adult care). Nurse to patient ratios of 1:3 or higher was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for emotional exhaustion and depersonalization sub-scales (P=.002 and .0039, respectively).

CONCLUSION: More than 80% of nurses caring for critically ill patients in Argentina show moderate or high levels of burnout syndrome and this is related to a high nurse:patient ratio (1:3 or higher).