Nursing-sensitive indicators in intensive care units in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review

Intensive care units in low- and middle-income countries face significant challenges that compromise the quality of care provided. In this scenario, nursing care-sensitive indicators play a crucial role in assessing performance, identifying weaknesses, and promoting continuous improvement. This study aimed to map and analyse nursing care-sensitive indicators applied to people admitted to intensive care units in low- and middle-income countries. This is a scoping review based on the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and guided by the PCC (Population, Concept, Context) model. The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched, with double-blind review. A total of 115 indicators were identified, distributed across structure (n=39), process (n=30) and outcomes (n=46). Among the most frequent are: nurse-to-patient ratios, pain and sedation assessment, incidence of device-associated infections and mortality rates. It is concluded that there is a scarcity of literature adapted to low- and middle-income countries, with priority given to strengthening evidence-based practices and systematic quality monitoring in intensive care units in these contexts.