Difficulties to implement patient safety strategies: perspectives of management nurses

Abstract

Objective: To understand the difficulties to implement patient safety strategies in the hospital environment from the perspective of nurse managers. Methods: Descriptive, exploratory and qualitative study, carried out in four public university hospitals, using a semi-structured interview script, from January to March 2015. The sample was of 72 nurses. Content analysis was carried out, in the thematic modality. Results: The following categories were identified: Inadequate sizing of nursing staff; Lack of support of the top management: from policies to concrete actions and; Lack of adherence of the professionals to patient safety strategies. Conclusions: In order for the institution to succeed in the implementation of patient safety strategies, it is necessary to have a continuous and permanent education policy, to raise awareness and to involve professionals from the top management to the front line employees.