Implementation of Basic Patient Safety Protocols: a quality improvement project

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the effect of an improvement project on the implementation of Basic Patient Safety Protocols in Brazilian public hospitals. Method: This is an intervention study aimed at comparing measurements before-and-after the implementation of an improvement project in 35 public hospitals across three Brazilian regions, between July 2021 and September 2023. The intervention consisted of a set of activities to support the implementation of six Basic Patient Safety Protocols, with semimonthly collection of indicators. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with the use of trend charts to demonstrate improvements, considering the first seven collection points as the baseline for comparisons. Results: After the intervention period, all Patient Safety Protocols showed improvements in their indicators. The prevention of falls and safe surgery stood out, with a 73% reduction in prevalence and a 675% increase in adherence to the safe surgery checklist, respectively, compared to the group of hospitals. Conclusion: The improvement project had a positive effect on patient safety in the institutions, evidenced by the improvement in indicators of all analyzed protocols.

Keywords

• Patient safety. Patient harm. Safety management. Implementation science. Quality improvement. Outcome assessment
• health care