Ocorrências éticas na enfermagem.

Abstract

Descriptive and exploratory study with a quantitative approach involving hundred fourteen causes of nursing ethical occurrences (or infractions) between 1995-2001. The objectives of the study were to: 1) characterize the nursing professionals involved in ethical occurrences; 2) identify causes of mistakes made. Outcomes obtained showed that: a) nursing auxiliaries were responsible for the majority of ethical occurrences: b) the main cause of occurrences were negligence, followed by imprudence: c) the more frequent technical mistake observed was in the preparation and/or administration of medicines. This study aims to contribute for a better understanding of the ethical issue involved in the daily nursing practice, as well as to alert professionals in order to not be involved in similar ethical events.