GOOD PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES IN PATIENT SAFETY IN INTENSIVE CARE
Keywords:
Intensive Care Units, Patient Safety, Quality ImprovementAbstract
Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are high-complexity and high-risk environments where patient safety represents a constant and priority challenge. This narrative review aims to synthesize scientific evidence on best practices and the main challenges for promoting safe care in ICUs. The methodology was based on an analysis of the relevant literature. The results indicate that the main challenges include the prevalence of a punitive culture that discourages incident reporting, failures in interprofessional communication and teamwork, as well as organizational deficiencies such as work overload and insufficient managerial support. Conversely, the most effective best practices involve the implementation of a fair and transparent safety culture, the use of reporting systems with structured feedback, the application of care bundles for infection prevention, the use of in situ simulation to identify latent threats to safety, and the strengthening of the work environment through team empowerment and ensuring adequate resources. It is concluded that improving patient safety in ICUs requires a systemic and multifaceted approach focused on process improvement, optimization of the work environment, and continuous support for healthcare professionals, rather than interventions focused solely on individual error.
