Significant Aspects Arising from the Experience of Having Been Responsible for an Adverse Health Event

Abstract

Objective: Know what nurses regard as the significant aspects of their experience with being responsible for an adverse health event. Materials and methods: This is an exploratory qualitative study based on hermeneutics with a dialectical approach. The content analysis technique was used. The sample consisted of twelve nurses who had at least one experience with being responsible for an adverse event involving a patient, and four nursing supervisors with supervisory responsibility when an adverse event occurred. Results: Using a dialectical approach to hermeneutics, the analysis of the data allowed for construction of the following categories related to the health organization and its human resources: the organizational context, ignorance of the notification process, overwork and lack of rest. Conclusions: The importance of the organizational context in which care is provided must be recognized. Ignorance about the notification process is an aspect that requires improvement, as do situations involving overwork and lack of rest for staff members. This issue needs to be examined in greater depth through research and the development of interventions that promote a culture of safety in health care, with implications for nursing practice and training.