Incidentes de segurança relacionados à terapia medicamentosa: percepções de profissionais de enfermagem de terapia intensiva

Abstract

This study has as objectives: to analyze the perceptions of intensive care unit nursing professionals about the occurrence of safety incidents related to the medical therapy; to identify the factors that interfere positively and negatively for the occurrence of safety incidents related to the medical therapy; to know the strategies adopted by the intensive care unit nursing professionals for the prevention and control of safety incidents related to the medical therapy. Method: exploratory-descriptive research with a qualitative approach, carried out in a medium-sized hospital in the south of Brazil. The subjects were four nurses and eleven nursing technicians of an adult intensive care unit. The data collection occurred in February and March, 2014, through a semi-structured interview and afterwards these data were submitted to Thematic Analysis. Results and discussions: the information obtained with the participants was grouped together in three categories: a) perceptions of intensive care unit nursing professionals about the occurrence of safety incidents related to medical therapy; b) interfering factors which contribute for the occurrence of safety incidents related to the use of medications in intensive care; c) strategies adopted by nursing professionals for the reduction of safety incidents related to the use of medications in ICU. The interviewees reported having already heard about the topic, however showed uncertainties about the concepts of safety incidents, adverse events and medication errors. They mentioned having already experienced some situations involving safety incidents related to the medical therapy; the adopted action consists of the communication of the event to the nurse and the intensification of patient care, in order to minimize the consequences of the error and to promote the reestablishment of organic functions. The working routines, the complexity of the clinical status of patients, the care fragmentation, physical structure, the hurry, work overload, lack of recognition and lack of attention are some of the factors mentioned which contribute for the occurrence of incidents. However, the shift change, the attention, medical prescription and medication labels check and the patient identification the five medication rights are pointed out as human factors that can help minimize the occurrence of incidents. The medical prescription and medication labels check, the non-administration of medication in case of doubt, the adequate patient and medication identification were mentioned as strategies for the prevention of the occurrence of safety incidents. Conclusions: it was demonstrated the necessity of constant update by the professionals, as well as the definition of concepts and the standardization of procedures in case of safety incidents. Besides, it is utterly important the implementation of a system of voluntary notification in which the professional does not need to identify him/herself, and also the support and guidance by the nurse to the nursing technicians about the preparation and administration of the medication. These are a few of the actions which represent valuable tools for the improvement of care, thus promoting professionals‟ satisfaction and also promoting the culture of safety, rather than the punitive one.