Patient safety in primary health care: a theoretical reflection

Abstract

Objective: To analyze, from a theoretical reflection, the main adverse events and the context of patient safety in primary health care. Method: This is a qualitative, descriptive study of the theoretical-reflective type developed from the narrative review approach with national and international scientific articles available in the LILACS, BDENF, SciELO and MEDLINE databases. Results: It was found that research related to patient safety is predominantly directed towards hospital care. However, the main adverse events that occurred in primary care are related to delayed diagnosis, medication, dental treatment, injections, vaccines, communication between doctor and patients, documentation and administrative processes. Conclusion: There is a need to expand discussions on patient safety in primary care in order to enable patients and professionals to recognize and manage adverse events and be sensitive to their shared capacity for change, reducing errors and tensions.