Prevention measures related to adverse events in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Adverse events represent a serious problem in health care in the intensive care unit, directly impacting the length of hospital stay and mortality of patients. Objective: Identify preventive measures related to adverse events in the intensive care unit through literature review Method: Integrative literature review, carried out in the databases: Scientific Eletronic Library Online and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences and Google academic, published between 2014 to 2020, used the descriptors: Preventive measures, adverse events, intensive care unit and patient safety Results: twelve articles were selected with the following discussion categories: Adverse events with a higher incidence rate in the intensive care unit, factors related to the occurrence of adverse events in the intensive care unit and preventive measures for these adverse events. Conclusion: To prevent adverse events, strategies should be implemented by nursing managers to improve care, reduce work overload for professionals, complete records in electronic medical records, continuing education, effective communication between the multidisciplinary team, establishment of institutional norms and minimization of care failures.