VIOLATIONS OF NURSES IN THE USE OF EQUIPMENT IN INTENSIVE CARE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify situations of violation in the use of equipment by nurses in the intensive care unit and analyze their implications on patient safety. Method: a descriptive field study with qualitative approach was carried out from March to December 2014, with the use of James Reason's violation concept. The participants were nurses from the day shift, working in direct care at an intensive care unit of a federal hospital. Data production was carried out through systematic observation and interviews, and were analyzed based on thick description of scenes and content of responses. Results: violations in planning care regarding the checking of the equipment functioning before its use and alarms were found, when nurses disconnect them to reduce the effects caused by the overload of noise on the team. Conclusion: the situations reported compromise safety and cause serious risks to patients. Therefore, implementation of strategies to promote a safety culture is required.