Healthcare-associated infections and patient safety: nurses’ perception

Abstract

Introduction: The adoptions of strategies to improve the safety and quality of care to hospitalized patients has been a focus of health institutions, particularly in the prevention of health. The nursing team has a relevant role in the promotion of patient safety in health services, through the possibility of implementing measures of interrupting the transmission
of micro-organisms, in a direct or indirect way, through the implementation of preventive care. Objective: To analyze the perception of the nursing staff about Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) and their relationship to patient safety. Material and Method: This is a descriptive qualitative research, conducted in a teaching hospital, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Twelve nursing professionals were interviewed from June to July 2015. Thematic analysis was used, and three categories were elaborated: The importance of an active Infection Control Commission; Infection control and its interface with Patient Safety; Hand hygiene: clean and safe care. Results: the nursing staff had difficulty in articulating on infection control and
its association with patient safety; This allows us to state the need for changes in nursing practice, teaching and research. Conclusion: The absence of a patient safety culture was evidenced; however, the team recognizes hand hygiene as a means to preventing HAI.