ABSTRACT
Objective:
to describe the communication process among the professionals of the intensive care nursing team during the handover, analyzing the existence of noise and its repercussions on patient safety.
Method:
qualitative and exploratory study, in the light of Berlo, carried out at the intensive care unit of a federal hospital with 42 nursing professionals participating in the handover and/or acting in direct patient care. An audio recording of the handover was performed, as well as its systematic observation and the care practices of the nursing team. The audios were transcribed for an instrument and analyzed through descriptive statistics regarding the presence, completeness and correction of the information. The observation data were submitted to thick description.
Results:
the noises were related to the absence/incompleteness of information about the patient, with focus on the communication about intercurrences and clinical evolution of the last 24 hours and little valuation of the data on evaluation, care plan and clinical condition of the patient; in addition to late arrivals, speaking with a low tone of voice, parallel conversations, and the use of cell phones. Such noises have caused unnecessary, wrong procedures or prevented procedures from being performed.
Conclusion:
noise in the communication process negatively affects nursing and patient safety.
DESCRIPTORS:
Patient handoff; Patient safety; Intensive care units; Health communication; Nursing