Qualitative research on clinical risk perception in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Intensive Care
• Nursing
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICUs) manage critically ill newborns and children, requiring complex care.
• Optimal integration and teamwork among healthcare professionals are crucial in PICUs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' perceptions of clinical risk in pediatric intensive care.
• To identify adverse events and associated risk factors from the nurses' perspective.

Main Methods:

• A focus group methodology was employed to identify and analyze potential risks in pediatric intensive care.
• Nine nurses with varying PICU experience participated, alongside moderators and an observer.

Main Results:

• Qualitative analysis revealed nine key themes in nurses' clinical risk perception.
• These themes include teamwork, training, time management, communication, clinical management, individual errors, facility issues, patient factors, and standardization.

Conclusions:

• A culture of safety can be fostered by management.
• Encouraging a learning spirit and open communication without fear of negative repercussions is vital for promoting safety.