Health care services and the occurrence of medical errors: an approach in the light of the Principle Theory

Abstract

The written and television media have frequently reported on medical errors that occurred during the assistance provided in health services. Given this, the present study aims to reflect on the occurrence of medical errors in the light of the Principialist Theory. Despite the relevance of the topic for advancing the quality of care and patient safety, there are still few discussions involving bioethical principles. In view of the need for information that reveals empirical data regarding the dimension of the problem, the violation of bioethical principles also constitutes a disobedience to articles that refer to the fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities of each professional category. It is imperative to constantly seek to discuss and reflect on the bioethical principles and moral conflicts present in health services, with the aim of linking technical care with ethical-bioethical care, in a perspective of integrality.