Linking Worker Safety to Patient Safety: Recommendations and Bioethical Issues for the Care of Patients in the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: the aim of this article is to discuss the implications of the connection between safety and bioethical issues for evidence-based care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: reflective analysis with the guiding question: “How can professional and patient safety be linked to bioethical issues during the COVID-19 pandemic?” Results: the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged countries around the world, mainly due to the collapse of the health system that could threaten the safety of patients and healthcare providers. Connecting worker safety to patient safety is imperative for safe care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aspects related to professional qualification and the provision and proper use of personal protective equipment permeate an environment of economic and political crisis that accentuates tensions and can interfere in decision-making, greatly affecting the results of the care provided. This article presents reflections and recommendations to support healthcare providers in making decisions that involve bioethical issues during the care process in times of scarce resources generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personal Protective Equipment in Hospital Nursing Care: A Scoping Review

“…In addition to these aspects, the importance of PPE availability and permanent education is highlighted 59 , reinforcing the results of the current review, which point out that there is a need for nurses to participate in the clinical practice in the decisions/elaboration of managerial aspects, thus helping to survey the real needs of the team 60 . Actions and interventions must be articulated by the management of the units and service managers in a way that can favor the safety climate and, consequently, the safety culture of professionals and patients alike 57 .…”

Ensino de segurança do paciente na pandemia da covid-19: percepção de estudantes de enfermagem

“…Corroborando com isso, reflexão científica aponta a necessidade de conexão entre a segurança do profissional e do paciente, principalmente, em um período de colapso do sistema de saúde, onde esse vínculo torna-se indispensável para a assistência segura. Além disso, a segurança do paciente é diretamente influenciada pela qualificação dos profissionais e a disponibilização de recursos adequados, 11 o que pode tornar a separação dessas dimensões de segurança indissociáveis.…”

Teaching patient safety in the COVID-19 pandemic: perception of nursing students

“…Corroborating this, scientific reflection points to the need for connection between professional and patient safety, especially in a period of collapse of the health system, where this link becomes indispensable for safe care. Moreover, patient safety is directly influenced by the qualification of professionals and the availability of adequate resources, 11 which can make the separation of these safety dimensions inseparable.…”