Family participation in patient safety in neonatal units from the nursing perspective

Abstract

Objective: to understand the influence of family involvement in patient safety in neonatal units from the perspective of nurses. Method: a descriptive qualitative study, conducted in the intermediate care unit and in the neonatal intensive care unit of a public maternity hospital in Belo Horizonte-MG (Brazil), with fourteen nurses as research participants. Data were collected through semi-structured scripts and submitted to thematic content analysis. Results: nurses recognize the family’s participation in neonatal patient safety, however they have shown little understanding and unpreparedness in dealing with family in their daily work. Better reception/user embracement and orientation of family members were identified as significant strategies for safe care. Conclusion: it is believed that combining family as critical and active partners in professional health practices aimed at implementing safe practices is an important and promising strategy to promote health and patient safety.