NIGHTINGALE’S EXPERTISE AND THE BRAZILIAN MANUAL OF ACCREDITATION BY HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS

Abstract

This is a reflection on Florence Nightingale’s expertise and contribution to the practice of nursing and the safety of the patient. Analogies are made between her views concerning patients, nursing and hospital environments and the orientation items in the Brazilian Manual of Accreditation for Health-Service-Providing Organizations (2006 edition) specifically those relating to Level 1. The epidemiological approach, understanding and emphasis on the need for scientific understanding shown by Nightingale have not become outdated and reflect the importance she attributed to risk prevention, rules and evaluation of phenomena in search of quality of care and patient safety. These are to be found in the Brazilian Manual of Accreditation, which emphasizes safety, quality of care, the improvement of management and the qualification of teams.

Keywords

• Nursing
• Professional practice
• Accreditation