Theories used by nurses to promote patient safety practices: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim: To review available scientific evidence in the literature on theories that have been used to promote patient safety practices in the hospital environment.

Methods: Design: A scoping review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Method: the study was conducted between October and November 2020. The following databases were used to identify studies: Medline, Lilacs, BDENF, CINAHL, and Scielo Library. The following search key terms were used: “Patient Safety” AND “Nursing Theory” OR “Nursing Theories”. Thirty-two studies were selected and analyzed, composing the review corpus. The studies were read and critically analyzed, followed by the discussion and interpretation of the results with the presentation of the identified evidence. The analysis was carried out using a descriptive method.

Results: The 32 articles that made up the study sample were published between 2006 and 2020 in 14 different countries and indicated the use of 34 different theories.

Conclusions: By analyzing the study sample, it was possible to identify nursing theories and theories in other fields of science. Some theories have been applied in the foundation of safe nursing care in different contexts and situations or the analysis and creation of safety culture protocols for healthcare organizations.