PATIENT SAFETY IN OBSTETRICS

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the importance of patient safety in the obstetric area based on scientific articles published in national and international databases. Methodology: This is an Integrative Literature Review, in which the MEDLINE, SCIELO, BDENF and LILACS databases were used. The inclusion criteria for the study were: scientific articles published in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, from July 2019 to July 2024, using the descriptors "Patient safety" and "Obstetrics". Scientific articles that were not available in full, duplicate articles in the databases, articles that did not answer the research question, master's dissertations, doctoral theses, editorials, and integrative reviews were excluded from the study. Results: Nine scientific articles published in the national and international reality were included in the Integrative Review. Most studies address the issue of the need to report, investigate and analyze adverse events that occur in obstetric care, in order to identify their causes and determinants, with a view to mitigating the risks to which women and newborns are exposed. In addition, patient guidance and effective communication between the multiprofessional health team are also crucial for promoting patient safety. Conclusions: Patient safety is paramount in the scenario of obstetric practice, considering that in the context of labor and birth it is essential to reduce adverse events and promote patient safety, in order to provide safe care to women and newborns, in addition to contributing to the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. In this context, it is necessary to implement a fair safety culture in obstetrics services, with a non-punitive approach and a focus on improving care processes, seeking to promote safe, quality care based on scientific evidence.