The role of nurses in implementing patient safety in hospitals to achieve patient safety goals: Literature review

Abstract

Patient safety is an action taken to minimize hazards during a patient's healthcare experience, particularly in hospitals. Patient safety can be described as a system in which hospitals implement improved nursing care processes. Objectives: To understand and analyze the role of nurses in implementing patient safety in hospitals to achieve the standards of patient safety goals. Methods: The article search was conducted through the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases using the keywords "patient safety" AND "nurse's role" OR "nurse" AND "hospital" AND "patient safety goals". The search yielded a total of 119 articles, but only 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. Result: A study conducted in 7 hospitals in Indonesia and other countries revealed several roles of nurses in implementing patient safety. The most commonly found role was nurses providing nursing care using the nursing process. Nurses also delivered optimal nursing care and services while ensuring equitable distribution of care. Additionally, nurses supported and advocated for the well-being of patients. Conclusion: The roles of nurses in implementing patient safety in hospitals can be grouped into three categories: care roles, education roles, advocacy roles, and collaboration roles.