Introduction. The different definitions of the concept of "Near Miss" in literature generate confusion about the dimensions of these events, whilst in Italy the lack of specific studies on near misses leads to their underestimation in the healthcare context. Therefore, their value as a guide to identify recovery strategies and ensure high standards of safety and quality is still not known in Italy. This qualitative study explores the near miss phenomenon in Italian hospitals through the perceptions of nurses, patients and their families, to define them and describe the situations and the processes linked to their occurrence and prevention. Methods. This study employed Focus Group technique and semi-structured interviews in nine hospitals in Rome and one in Genoa, for a total of 28 Focus Groups including nurses and 96 interviews to patients/families. The results were analyzed according to the following procedure: transcription, codification, categorization, internal consistency and thematic analysis. Results. The thematic analysis produced six themes: 1. The healthcare system is a minefield of near misses; 2. Near misses are catalysts of change; 3. Near misses serve as opportunities to reduce suffering and vulnerability; 4. Alliances are the milestones for safer healthcare: the alliance between patients and nurses reduce near misses; 5. Near misses serve as a way to humanize healthcare; 6. Patient safety is related to nurses' level of education: education and safety are two sides of a coin. Discussion. The findings of this study inspire change in the clinical setting, in nursing education and elicit further research in the field of safety. The emerging themes focused on the humanization of the hospital settings, reveal that facilities can change working conditions. Moreover, values such as human dignity, trust towards others, improved competence and professional cooperation are proved necessary in the promotion of safer clinical settings.
Il contributo infermieristico alla sicurezza del paziente in ospedale:uno studio qualitativo multicentrico sui "near misses" [The contribution of nursing to the safety of inpatients: a multicentred qualitative Study on Near Misses]
De Marinis MG;Piredda M;Tartaglini D;
2007-01-01
Abstract
Introduction. The different definitions of the concept of "Near Miss" in literature generate confusion about the dimensions of these events, whilst in Italy the lack of specific studies on near misses leads to their underestimation in the healthcare context. Therefore, their value as a guide to identify recovery strategies and ensure high standards of safety and quality is still not known in Italy. This qualitative study explores the near miss phenomenon in Italian hospitals through the perceptions of nurses, patients and their families, to define them and describe the situations and the processes linked to their occurrence and prevention. Methods. This study employed Focus Group technique and semi-structured interviews in nine hospitals in Rome and one in Genoa, for a total of 28 Focus Groups including nurses and 96 interviews to patients/families. The results were analyzed according to the following procedure: transcription, codification, categorization, internal consistency and thematic analysis. Results. The thematic analysis produced six themes: 1. The healthcare system is a minefield of near misses; 2. Near misses are catalysts of change; 3. Near misses serve as opportunities to reduce suffering and vulnerability; 4. Alliances are the milestones for safer healthcare: the alliance between patients and nurses reduce near misses; 5. Near misses serve as a way to humanize healthcare; 6. Patient safety is related to nurses' level of education: education and safety are two sides of a coin. Discussion. The findings of this study inspire change in the clinical setting, in nursing education and elicit further research in the field of safety. The emerging themes focused on the humanization of the hospital settings, reveal that facilities can change working conditions. Moreover, values such as human dignity, trust towards others, improved competence and professional cooperation are proved necessary in the promotion of safer clinical settings.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
