Impacts of administrative overload on the quality of care and the mental health of the nursing team

Abstract

With the high demand for administrative activities in the field of nursing, a significant impact on the quality of care and on the mental health of professionals is observed. International studies show that the increase in workload is directly related to worse clinical outcomes and a reduction in the quality of care provided (Aiken et al., 2018). In this context, this study aims to analyze, through an integrative literature review, how administrative overload influences and impacts the care provided to patients, also highlighting the emotional balance of the nursing team. This is a review conducted in the SciELO, LILACS, and PubMed databases, considering articles published between 2018 and 2024, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. A total of 10 studies were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results show that excessive bureaucratic activities reduce the time allocated to direct patient care, compromise the quality of care, and are associated with increased occupational stress and burnout syndrome. In addition, a higher incidence of adverse events is observed, such as medication errors and failures in care, associated with workload (Griffiths et al., 2019). From a mental health perspective, the studies demonstrate an association between high workload, emotional exhaustion, and the intention to leave the profession. It is concluded that administrative overload is a relevant factor in the deterioration of nursing working conditions, making it necessary to implement institutional strategies that promote professional appreciation, the reorganization of work processes, and the improvement of the quality of care provided. Thus, ensuring better care for patients and better management for the work team; without interventions, the quality of care becomes compromised, increasing the risk of deaths. Through organizational strategies, it is possible to improve working conditions.