Risk management in hospital unit: conceptions for nursing staff

Objective: checking the nursing staff’s conception of possible risks for the patient safety in a clinic hospitalization unit, and knowing strategies used to manage risks. Method: a descriptive study with qualitative approach. Fourteen subjects, including nurses and nursing experts working in clinic hospitalization unit, were interviewed. It was conducted a content assessment. Results: workers identify risks and report mistakes according to the service routine and in a computerized way for the significant family. There is concern about legal and ethical aspects in case of injuring the patient. Excessive working hours and lack of workers were also mentioned as patient safety risks. Conclusions: risk management is a complex work that includes different aspects of the working practice and significant for improving nursing assistance. It is a subject to be addressed in permanent education