OBJECTIVE: To classify patients in a hemodynamics healthcare unit, according to the degree of dependence on nursing care. METHODS: Cross-sectional study performed in June/2005 at the Hemodynamics unit of a university hospital. Data were collected during the first hour post-procedure, using Perroca's instrument of patient classification. RESULTS: Among 164 patients, 52% were female, aged 60 ± 14.8 years. The average score of classification was 31.9 ± 4.8, rated as intermediate. As for instrument indicators, patients submitted to gastroenterological procedures presented a significant difference regarding their level of consciousness (P<0.0001); as for motility, patients submitted to cardiologic procedures presented higher dependence scores (P<0.0001); there were no differences for locomotion between the different specialties. CONCLUSION: The dependence profile of patients seen in the hemodynamics unit was considered intermediate. Further studies may add more information when planning the size of hemodynamics units.
Assessment of needs; Nursing care; Nursing staff, hospital
