Quality Management: Incident Notification in the Patient Safety Center

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the incident notifications of a Patient Safety Center, an instance of the health service created to promote and support actions aimed at patient safety. Theoretical Framework: National and international regulations were used to underpin this research. Method: A retrospective, descriptive, quantitative study conducted in a specialized health service located in northeastern Brazil. Data were collected in January 2023. The population consisted of notifications made in the first six months of the Patient Safety Center. The sample included 21 notifications. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Results and Discussion: A total of seven reporting sectors were identified, with the quality management sector achieving the highest outcome for effective intervention (33.3%) and the warehouse having a prevalence (40%) of ineffective intervention outcomes. Nursing accounted for 55.6% of the notifications with effective outcomes. Approximately 76% of the reported cases were non-conformities, 25% were adverse events with mild harm, 75% of the causes were related to methods, and 38% of post-notification interventions consisted of guidance for the professional. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research lie in the importance of reporting incidents, resulting in situational indicators that will guide harm-free patient care. Originality/Value: This research contributes to strengthening quality management by highlighting the significance of the study evidenced by the global urgency to reduce harm in health care and by the innovation of the study when directed at a specialized service.