Estudio de eventos adversos, factores y periodicidad en pacientes hospitalizados en unidades de cuidado intensivo

Objective: To determine adverse events (AEs) reported by nursing and its related factors in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in three participating countries (Mexico, Argentina and Colombia) in 2013. Method: A multicenter, prospective and descriptive study was conducted. The observation unit was constituted with AEs reported by nurses over a period of 6 months in 17 ICUs. To report AEs, a digital and on line form that contained the categories and factors related adverse event was designed. Data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: 1163 adverse events were reported, 34% were related to care, 19 % with airway and mechanical ventilation, 16 % with the management of vascular access and drainage, 13 % with nosocomial infection and 11 % with administration of medication, the remaining 7 % were related to testing diagnostic and equipment. 94.8 % of these AEs were considered preventable. To determine the importance of the factors present in AEs, the Phi coefficient was used, finding that the factors related were those of the system where predominate the non-adherence to protocols, communication problems, training and inadequate training ( Phi 0-1 p <0.05 ). Conclusions: AEs most prevalent are mostly related to direct patient care and airway care, in addition to that, its related factor was the system, therefore the nurse must develop strategies to strengthen and improve processes related with application of protocols, communication and human resources policy.