Changes in nursing practice to improve patient safety.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Enhancing nursing practice is crucial for improving patient safety and healthcare quality.
• Proactive risk management strategies are essential in inpatient settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific changes in nursing practice that contribute to better quality of care and patient safety.
• To evaluate the impact of implemented interventions on patient safety outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was employed involving 31 participants from a patient safety center and nursing team.
• Data collection utilized interviews, direct observations, and documentary analysis over an eight-month period.
• Content analysis was performed on the collected qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Observed changes included systematic identification of care and physical risks, such as falls and pressure injuries, utilizing tools like the Braden scale.
• Implementation of adverse event notification systems and standardized protocols was noted.
• Improvements in interprofessional communication were achieved through ongoing education and multidisciplinary meetings.

Conclusions:

• Significant changes in nursing practice were identified, primarily centered around proactive risk management.
• These practice modifications are expected to enhance patient safety and overall care quality.