Scientific output and organizational characteristics in Brazilian intensive care units: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Objective: To examine the associations between the scientific output of Brazilian intensive care units and their organizational characteristics.

Methods: This study is a re-analysis of a previous retrospective cohort that evaluated organizational intensive care unit characteristics and their associations with outcomes. We analyzed data from 93 intensive care units across Brazil. Intensive care units were assessed for scientific productivity and the effects of their research activities, using indicators of care for comparison. We defined the most scientifically productive intensive care units as those with numerous publications and a SCImago Journal Rank score or an H-index above the median values of the participating intensive care units.

Results: Intensive care units with more publications, higher SCImago Journal Rank scores and higher H-index scores had a greater number of certified intensivists (median of 7; IQR 5 - 10 versus 4; IQR 2 - 8; with p < 0.01 for the comparison between intensive care units with more versus fewer publications). Intensive care units with higher SCImago Journal Rank scores and H-index scores also had a greater number of fully implemented protocols (median of 8; IQR 6 - 8 versus 5; IQR 3.75 - 7.25; p < 0.01 for the comparison between intensive care units with higher versus lower SCImago Journal Rank scores).

Conclusions: Scientific engagement was associated with better staffing patterns and greater protocol implementation, suggesting that research activity may be an indicator of better intensive care unit organization and care delivery.