Internal Audit of Nursing: an assurance approach

Abstract

In 2020, the Nursing Department of the British Hospital of Montevideo implemented the Internal Nursing Audit (INA), based on the ISO 9001:2015 Standard, to improve the quality and safety of care. The IEA evaluated comprehensive care, patient safety, and internal climate, categorizing findings into strengths, compliance, opportunities for improvement, observations, and nonconformities, through observational audits and electronic checklists. Between 2020 and 2023, the sectors audited increased from 6 to 25, identifying outstanding practices in medication administration and personalized care, while improving areas such as technology training and documentation. The EIA has been instrumental in continuous improvement and quality of care, contributing to patient-centered care and staff satisfaction.