Nursing Performance in Preventing Adverse Health Events: A Literature Review
Simone Ribeiro Vieira Borges
Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Edileusa Alcantara Gomes da Silva
Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará (FSCMPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Kátia Silene Oliveira e Silva
Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Andressa Torres Oliveira
Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (EBSERH), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Sandy Costa dos Santos
Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (EBSERH), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Lis Ferreira Barbosa
Empresa Brasileira de Serviços Hospitalares (EBSERH), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Regina Correia Lanzana Araújo da Silva
Graduação Faculdade Integradas de Guarulhos (FIG), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Cathleen Priscila Goes Bastos Araujo
Escola Superior Madre Celeste (ESMAC), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Kélia das Graças de Paiva Macias Nakai
Instituto Oráculo de Psicanálise (IOP), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Nedson Sombra Gemaque
University of the Amazon (UNAMA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Isabela Xavier da Conceição Antunes
University of the Amazon (UNAMA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Bianca Caroline Gouvêa Trindade
University of the Amazon (UNAMA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Maysa Micaely Batista de Souza
Faculdade da Amazônia (FAAM), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Joiley Nazaré Queiroz da Silva
Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Elem Gabriela Reis Pinheiro
Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Nice Renata Sanches Campos
Universidade Paulista (UNIP), Belém, Pará Brazil.
Annely Barros Góis
Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará (FSCMPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Thiago Simplício Costa
State University of Pará (UEPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Ana Caroline Guedes Souza Martins *
State University of Pará (UEPA), Belém, Pará, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the scientific literature on the role of nursing in preventing adverse health events. Nurses play a central role in implementing safety practices, due to their continuous presence and direct contact with patients at different stages of care. A narrative review of the literature was conducted through a search in the BVS, PubMED, and Google Scholar databases, which selected texts published between 2019 and 2024. This review examines nursing performance in adverse event prevention, discussing key strategies, technological advancements, and the importance of continuous professional development. The events which can trigger negative consequences for patients, can be avoided and minimized through strategies and practices widely discussed in the scientific literature. Effective nursing interventions, vigilance, and adherence to best practices significantly reduce hospital-acquired infections, medication errors, and patient falls. Actions such as the promotion of healthy behaviours, early identification of health problems, the performance of preventive exams, adherence to safety protocols, patient education on healthy lifestyles, and involvement in public health initiatives have proven effective in reducing and preventing adverse events. It was possible to verify that Nursing plays a fundamental role in the identification and assessment of risks, implementation of preventive measures, and monitoring and control of adverse events. Contributions to nursing consist of highlighting the importance of nursing, as a category, as well as being constantly updated and trained with regard to patient safety.
Keywords: Nursing, primary prevention, patient safety, preventive measures