OBJECTIVE: To analyze short-term leaves among the healthcare staff of a university hospital. METHODS: Study population included 965 nursing professionals active on 1 January 2000. Leaves up to 30 days in one year were analyzed. Sickness leaves (one-year aggregate), service demand, and diagnoses were described. Relative risk was estimated through multivariate analysis, using negative binomial distribution. RESULTS: About 65% of workers generated 1,988 appointments, of which 68,6% lead to absence from work. The greatest demand occurred among nursing technicians, women, […]