Safety of pediatric intensive care inpatients: understanding adverse events from the companion’s perspective

Abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.5216/ree.v14i2.12977

Patient safety is a theme that has been included in health care practices as a strategy to guide measures that promote the safety of pediatric inpatients. The objective of this study was to describe the adverse events identified by the relative/caregiver at a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This explorative-descriptive and qualitative study was performed with 13 relatives/caregivers at a pediatric hospital in Porto Alegre-RS in the period between March and April of 2009. Data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews, and the data was submitted to thematic analysis. The following categories emerged: Failures in the communication process; Unsafe practices related to the workers’ conducts; and Requirements for patient safety in the PICU. The children in this environment are vulnerable to adverse events in view of the service that is provided. In order to guarantee the safety of PICU inpatients and avoid adverse events, the institution must adopt safe care practices in its culture.