Work Environment and Process in Intensive Care: Safety Risks for Professionals and Patients

doi:10.21694/2379-2922.19004

Abstract

Highlights

ResultsA key finding was that the work conditions and processes pose threats to patients and professionals’ safety
Risk situations are considered as being caused by the nature of the jobs and as the result of actions or external factors that increase the probability of changes in the workers’ health
Participants discussed risks existing in their work environment and identified solutions to promote a safer workplace for medication management and for themselves

Summary

Results

The theme “Work setting and processes represent threats to the patients and professionals’ safety” was identified. During the FG with photo elicitation, the participants suggested possible improvements, mainly to reduce frequent movements: reorganizing the spaces inside the ICU, repositioning the waste disposal bins at the nursing station and having a satellite pharmacy inside the ICU. The latter would be possible through the better use of existing but underused spaces at the unit:. The professional is at risk of hitting another person in view of the small space Another aspect of the work setting discussed during the FG was the inappropriate arrangement of the furniture, which favored occupational accidents. The suggestions included the repositioning of the disposal bins and the sharps collector in the nursing station, the replacement of the recyclable waste bin by another that complies with ANVISA standards for biological waste, replacement of the hand washing sinks by other larger ones, tiling the wall of the medication preparation counter and separating the medication preparation counter from the nursing station

Conclusions

Introduction

Method

Discussion

Conclusion