PATIENT SAFETY IN THE PRACTICE OF NURSING CARE: NURSES' PERCEPTIONS

Abstract

Ethical and professional commitment and the application of safe and adequate procedures to patients are considered principles guiding nursing care provision and evidence-based practice. This study aims, therefore, to identify the perceptions of nurses about patient safety in the practice of nursing care. Method: Descriptive, qualitative, exploratory study conducted with nine nurses at a small hospital located in the central region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The data were collected from August to November 2011 using semi-structured interviews and were subjected then to content analysis. Results: Four categories emerged: Patient Safety: visibility in the organization of nursing care; Patient Safety: transformation based on nursing care; Disorganization of working and professional environment: factors contributing to errors; Different attitudes towards errors. Conclusion: Patient safety is achieved through the knowledge, commitment and participation of all professionals contributing to create a cultural change and transformative practice of nursing care.