Propuesta de una nueva escala de valoración de cargas de trabajo y tiempos de enfermería (VACTE©)

The main results determined after the study were the following: regarding the scale to evaluate seriousness applied to the patients, an average APACHE II score of 12.1 ± 5.9 was obtained. The average value with the NEMS was 19.5 ± 5.7 and the average one with VACTE(c) was 365 ± 91.2. Significant differences were found between APACHE II and the NEMS (p = 0.008) and VACTE(c) (p < 0.001) scales. This relationship presented more force with VACTE© (r = 0.43; p < 0.001) than with NEMS (r = 0.23; p = 0.002). The operative patientnurse ratio calculated with VACTE© was 2.01. Scale VACTE© is representative of nursing activity and seems to be more effective than NEMS to determine service loads. The ratio planned in the unit duplicated the calculated operative ratio.