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Supervision of professional nursing practice in Brazil: a scoping review

Supervisión de la práctica profesional de enfermería en Brasil: revisión de alcance

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

to map studies that analyze the audit process of nursing councils.

Methods:

this is a scoping review, anchored in the JBI framework, with the guiding question: what is the evidence of the audit process of legal practice of nursing by class councils (COFEN/COREN system)? The searches were carried out in October and November 2022 without limitation of language and year.

Results:

of the 9 selected studies, all are Brazilian and published from 2014 onwards. Among the topics addressed are the role, challenges, costs and difficulties in nurse auditors’ daily work process, in addition to the contribution of the audit sector in Brazil.

Conclusions:

the studies gathered discuss aspects related to costs, challenges and difficulties, but there is no focus on corrective, disciplinary and educational activities as well as little is said about the audit process, its reporting, referral and outcomes.

Descriptors:
Nursing; Nursing Audit; Professional Review Organizations; Review; Ethics Nursing

RESUMEN

Objetivos:

mapear estudios que analizan el proceso de supervisión de los consejos de enfermería.

Métodos:

esta es una revisión del alcance, anclada en el marco del JBI, con la pregunta guía: ¿Cuál es la evidencia del proceso de inspección del ejercicio legal de la enfermería por parte de los consejos de clase (sistema COFEN/COREN)? Las búsquedas se realizaron en octubre y noviembre de 2022, sin limitaciones de idioma ni año.

Resultados:

de los 9 estudios seleccionados, todos son brasileños y publicados a partir de 2014. Entre los temas abordados están el papel del enfermero supervisor, desafíos, costos y dificultades en el proceso de trabajo diario, además de la contribución del sector de inspección en Brasil.

Conclusiones:

los estudios reunidos discuten aspectos relacionados a costos, desafíos y dificultades, pero no hay foco en las actividades correctivas, disciplinarias y educativas, así como poco se dice sobre el proceso de inspección, sus notificaciones, derivaciones y resultados.

Descriptores:
Enfermería; Fiscalización Sanitaria; Organizaciones de Normalización Profesional; Revisión; Ética en Enfermería

RESUMO

Objetivos:

mapear os estudos que analisam o processo de fiscalização dos conselhos de enfermagem.

Métodos:

trata-se de uma revisão de escopo, ancorada no referencial do JBI, com a questão norteadora: quais as evidências do processo de fiscalização do exercício legal da enfermagem pelos conselhos de classe (sistema COFEN/COREN)? As buscas foram realizadas em outubro e novembro de 2022, sem limitação de linguagem e ano.

Resultados:

dos 9 estudos selecionados, todos são brasileiros e publicados a partir de 2014. Entre os temas abordados, estão o papel do enfermeiro fiscal, desafios, custos e dificuldades no cotidiano do processo de trabalho, além da contribuição do setor de fiscalização no Brasil.

Conclusões:

os estudos reunidos discutem os aspectos relacionados a custos, desafios e dificuldades, mas não há enfoque nas atividades corretivas, disciplinares e educativas, bem como pouco se fala sobre o processo de fiscalização, suas notificações, encaminhamento e desfechos.

Descritores:
Enfermagem; Fiscalização Sanitária; Organizações de Normalização Profissional; Revisão; Ética em Enfermagem

INTRODUCTION

In Brazil, Federal Law 5,905/1973 created Federal (COFEN) and Regional (COREN) Nursing Councils. These are public authorities that discipline nurses’, nursing technicians’ and assistants’ and midwives’ professional practice. The legal framework of nursing professions is also anchored in Federal Law 7.498/1986, Decree 94,406/1987, and among other regulations that aim to ensure the legal and ethical dictates of nursing(11 Ministério do Trabalho e Previdência Social (BR). Lei 5.905 de 12 de julho de 1973. Dispõe sobre a criação dos conselhos federal e regionais de enfermagem e das outras providências [Internet]. 1973[cited 2022 Dec 21]. Available from: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l5905.htm
https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/le...
-22 Presidência da República (BR). Decreto-Lei n. 94.406, de 08 de Junho de 1987. Regulamenta a Lei n. 7.498, de 25 de Junho de 1986, que dispõe sobre o exercício da enfermagem [Internet]. Diário Oficial da União. 1987 [cited 2023 Jan 03]. Available from: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/decreto/1980-1989/d94406.htm
https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/de...
).

The law that created the nursing councils established that it is the responsibility of the federal government to regulate norms to be followed by the regional ones, aiming at the fulfillment of their final activities, with emphasis on the audit of professional practice. Audit procedures are contained in COFEN Resolution 617/2019, which standardized the guidelines and instruments at the national level(33 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Resolução COFEN n° 617/2019. Atualiza o Manual de Fiscalização do Sistema Cofen/Conselhos Regionais de Enfermagem, o quadro de Irregularidades e Ilegalidades e dá outras providências [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Jan 07]. Available from: https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen-no-617-2019_74627.html
https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen...
).

Among the objectives of monitoring the professional practice of nursing is to ensure qualified assistance to society as a whole by qualified people. This involves certifying the regularity of each worker by auditing an identity document and the individual registration database. Documents such as care protocols, internal regulations, certificate of technical responsibility, service schedules and other items that may compromise assistance to the population are also checked(33 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Resolução COFEN n° 617/2019. Atualiza o Manual de Fiscalização do Sistema Cofen/Conselhos Regionais de Enfermagem, o quadro de Irregularidades e Ilegalidades e dá outras providências [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Jan 07]. Available from: https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen-no-617-2019_74627.html
https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen...
-44 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Resolução COFEN nº 374/2011. Normatiza o funcionamento do Sistema de Fiscalização do Exercício profissional da Enfermagem e dá outras providências [Internet]. 2011 [cited 2023 Jan 25]. Available from: https://www.cofen.gov.br/resoluo-cofen-n-3742011_6590.html
https://www.cofen.gov.br/resoluo-cofen-n...
).

Nurses who took a public exam or were appointed to the role are auditors, and federal and regional councilors also have the prerogative to supervise. The performance of auditors is based on educational, preventive, disciplinary and corrective approaches, seeking the quality of care provided to society and guaranteeing professionals’ rights to practice their profession, in addition to ensuring the implementation of the code of ethics and guaranteeing quality of care(33 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Resolução COFEN n° 617/2019. Atualiza o Manual de Fiscalização do Sistema Cofen/Conselhos Regionais de Enfermagem, o quadro de Irregularidades e Ilegalidades e dá outras providências [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Jan 07]. Available from: https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen-no-617-2019_74627.html
https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen...

4 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Resolução COFEN nº 374/2011. Normatiza o funcionamento do Sistema de Fiscalização do Exercício profissional da Enfermagem e dá outras providências [Internet]. 2011 [cited 2023 Jan 25]. Available from: https://www.cofen.gov.br/resoluo-cofen-n-3742011_6590.html
https://www.cofen.gov.br/resoluo-cofen-n...
-55 Almeida ACT. Subseções no Sistema Cofen/Coren: uma análise de viabilidade sobre a ótica econômica [Dissertação] [Internet]. Brasília: Universidade de Brasília; 2021 [cited 2023 Jan 03]. 117 p. Available from: https://repositorio.unb.br/handle/10482/41308
https://repositorio.unb.br/handle/10482/...
).

Audit can be a planned action, or arising from annual planning, which takes into account the total number of health institutions registered with the Ministry of Health, but complaints are also attended to. In the latter situation, it is investigated whether the denounced fact has implications for professional practice and affects society. All audits are filed in an administrative process, consisting of the term that designated the action, proof of reports, letters and other documents that both identify irregularities and illegalities as well as responses(33 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Resolução COFEN n° 617/2019. Atualiza o Manual de Fiscalização do Sistema Cofen/Conselhos Regionais de Enfermagem, o quadro de Irregularidades e Ilegalidades e dá outras providências [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Jan 07]. Available from: https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen-no-617-2019_74627.html
https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen...
).

Even about 50 years after the creation of nursing councils, responsible for disciplining and auditing the professional practice of the contingent of almost 3 million workers, who are part of the largest workforce of the Brazilian Health System (SUS - Sistema Único de Saúde)(66 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Enfermagem em Números [Internet]. 2023[cited 2023 Feb 24]. Available from: http://www.cofen.gov.br/enfermagem-em-numeros
http://www.cofen.gov.br/enfermagem-em-nu...
), even so, there are few literatures that can reveal the contributions of an ancient profession to society. The evidenced gap between legislation and practice highlights the difficulties encountered in the work process that interfere with the quality of care provided. In this regard, the following question was defined: what is the evidence of the audit process of the legal exercise of nursing by the class councils (COFEN/COREN system)?

OBJECTIVES

To map the studies that analyze the audit process of nursing councils.

METHODS

Ethical aspects

As this is research with materials in the public domain that did not involve human beings, approval by a Research Ethics Committee was not necessary.

Study design

This is a scoping review, which sought to map studies that analyzed the audit process of nursing councils. The study was developed according to the JBI Review Manual guidelines and structured through the following steps: 1) elaboration of guiding question and review objective; 2) search strategy elaboration; 3) search in databases; 4) selection of articles based on the reading of titles and abstracts; 5) selection of scientific articles based on their full reading; 6) summarization of results; and 7) presentation and discussion of results found(77 Peters MDJ, Godfrey C, McInerney P, Soares CB, Khalil H, Parker D. Chapter 11: Scoping Reviews. In: Aromataris E, Munn Z (Editors). Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer's Manual[Internet]. The Joanna Briggs Institute; 2017 [cited 2022 Nov 20]. Available from: https://reviewersmanual.joannabriggs.org/
https://reviewersmanual.joannabriggs.org...
).

Data sources and search strategies

To formulate the guiding question and search strategy, mnemonic PCC (Population, Concept and Context) was used. Population is the advice of professionals in nursing. The concept is the audit of professional practice by the nursing class council. Context is the legal practice of nursing professionals.

Articles that contained the three elements of PCC, without language or publication time limitations, were included. Articles that did not respond to the guiding research question, leaflets, or those whose full texts were not found online were excluded.

From the research question, controlled and indexed descriptors from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), EMBASE Subject Headings (EMTREE), CINAHL Headings and Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) were selected. To combine these, Boolean operators OR and AND were used. Chart 1 presents the descriptors and keywords used for each mnemonic item.

Chart 1
Descriptors and keywords used in searches, 2023

Data collection and organization

The searches took place in October and November 2022, through remote access to the databases, from registration in the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior) journal portal, via the Federated Academic Community (CAFe - Comunidade Acadêmica Federada), in the following databases: National Library of Medicine (PubMed/MEDLINE); Scopus; Embase; Web of Science; Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO); LILACS; and CINAHL with Full Text. Gray literature was also included in the sample, consisting of theses, dissertations and manuals related to the subject as well as those mentioned in the references of studies.

Data analysis

The search for studies was carried out by two researchers independently and concurrently. In case of divergence, a third reviewer would be consulted, but there was no need. The selected studies were exported to the Mendeley software for organization and exclusion of duplicates. Therefore, the articles were migrated to the Rayyan application(88 Ouzzani M, Hammady H, Fedorowicz Z, Elmagarmid A. Rayyan: a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Syst Rev. 2016;5:210. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0384-...
) for initial screening with reading of titles, abstracts and subsequent assessment regarding the inclusion criteria.

To compose the final sample of results, the articles were retrieved in full, analyzed, and inserted into a spreadsheet prepared by the researchers in Microsoft Excel. For the purpose of analysis, they were numbered and coded and the results were presented in the form of charts and discursive report.

In order to ensure methodological rigor, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR)(99 Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, O'Brien KK, Colquhoun H, Levac D, et al. PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. Ann Intern Med. 2018;169(7):467-73. https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850
https://doi.org/10.7326/M18-0850...
) checklist was used, in line with JBI recommendations. Furthermore, it was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) platform, under DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/FXHY8.

RESULTS

Initially, 358 studies were identified in database searches and other sources. After the selection process, described in Figure 1, the final sample was constituted with 9 studies, 8 articles and 1 dissertation.

Figure 1
Study selection flowchart, 2023

All included studies were written in Portuguese, and five were also available in English. All studies were conducted in Brazil and published in Brazilian journals. Following the CAPES Qualis classification for the four-year national nursing journals 2017-2020, four articles were published in B1, three in A2 and one in A4.

As for the year, the studies were published between 2014 and 2022, five of them after 2019. Although still scarce in the literature, there is an increase in relation to the theme over the years. Regarding authorship, two studies, related to the challenges and suffering of auditors, showed similarity between the authors, in addition to two other studies, as one discusses the audit process and the other about process costs, presenting the same authorship.

As for the study design, six studies were documental, three characterized as a case study and one cross-sectional, five with a qualitative approach and four quantitative. The studies were characterized and distributed, as shown in Chart 2.

Chart 2
Characteristics of studies included according to identification, objective, development region, approach, main results and contributions related to the audit process, 2023

Among the selected studies, researches that involved auditor nurses’ role, challenges and difficulties in the daily work process as well as the costs related to auditors’ direct labor stand out.(1111 Silveira LR, Ramos SRF. Os maiores desafios e dificuldades para realizar o trabalho de fiscal do COREN/SC. Enferm Foco. 2014;5(1):33-36. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2014.v5.n1/2.602
https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2014....
-1212 Silveira LR, Ramos FRS, Schneider DG, Vargas MAO, Barlem ELD. Sofrimento moral em enfermeiros dos departamentos de fiscalização do Brasil. Acta Paul Enferm. 2016;29(4):33-36. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0194201600062
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-01942016000...
,1818 Alves VLS, Lima AFC. Supervision of the professional practice of nursing: case study describing the “on-site inspection” sub-process. Rev Bras Enferm. 2022;75(2):e20210823. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2021-0823pt
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2021-0...
). Other studies have highlighted the importance and characteristics of COFEN’s and COREN’s audit sector in Brazil and their contribution to improving quality of care(1010 Costa EO, Germano RM, Medeiros SM. The fiscalization of the professional practice in the Nursing Federal Council. Reme: Rev Min Enferm. 2014;18(1):208-12. https://doi.org/10.5935/1415-2762.20140016
https://doi.org/10.5935/1415-2762.201400...
,1313 Rodrigues MA, Santana RF, Paula RCC, Silva MTN, Santo FHE. Exercício profissional de enfermagem em instituições de longa permanência para idosos: estudo retrospectivo. Texto Contexto Enferm. 2018;27(2):1-9. https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-070720180001700016
https://doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072018000...

14 Pereira LH, Rodrigues ACC, Santos PT, Ribeiro LCM. Fiscalização do exercício profissional na área da saúde. Enferm Foco. 2019;10(6):28-35. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019.v10.n6.2253
https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019....

15 Persegona MFM, Silva MCN, Freire NP, Almeida WC, Filete M, Medeiros GC, et al. Conselho federal de enfermagem: governança e gestão estratégica orientada para resultados das atividades finalísticas. Enferm Foco 2019;10 (6):6-15. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019.v10.n6.3385
https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019....

16 Costa IZK. Fiscalização de enfermagem no município do rio de janeiro: assistência neonatal (2010-2019) [Dissertação] [Internet]. Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; 2021[cited 2022 Dec 01]. 104 p. Available from: http://www.unirio.br/ppgenf/dissertacoes-ppgenf-unirio-ano-2021/ingrid-zuvanov-kahl-costa/view
http://www.unirio.br/ppgenf/dissertacoes...
-1717 Alves VLS, Lima AFC. In loco nursing practice inspection costs in a Brazilian setting. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2022;56:e20210382. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-220XREEUSP-2021-0382
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-220XREEUSP-...
).

DISCUSSION

The audit of professional practice in nursing occurs through a continuous, dynamic process permeated by several actions, guided by COFEN Resolution 617/2019(33 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Resolução COFEN n° 617/2019. Atualiza o Manual de Fiscalização do Sistema Cofen/Conselhos Regionais de Enfermagem, o quadro de Irregularidades e Ilegalidades e dá outras providências [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Jan 07]. Available from: https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen-no-617-2019_74627.html
https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen...
). This is a subject of great relevance for the advancement of the profession, but there is a lack of studies on the subject, making the subject of audit something veiled by professionals and managers.

Research available in the literature focuses on discussions based on ethical-disciplinary processes, which can be characterized as one of the developments of audit, but it is important to emphasize that this development is not the only one, considering the multiple referrals resulting from audit. The situation may be related to professionals, who failed to comply with some determination of the council, conditions of professional irregularity, or to the institution, such as in situations of opening a public civil action or ethical interdiction(1616 Costa IZK. Fiscalização de enfermagem no município do rio de janeiro: assistência neonatal (2010-2019) [Dissertação] [Internet]. Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; 2021[cited 2022 Dec 01]. 104 p. Available from: http://www.unirio.br/ppgenf/dissertacoes-ppgenf-unirio-ano-2021/ingrid-zuvanov-kahl-costa/view
http://www.unirio.br/ppgenf/dissertacoes...
).

Of the studies included in the review, one of the repercussions addressed is related to the lack of conformity of reports by institutions and professionals, evidenced by research that sought to analyze audit acts, in addition to the main challenges, difficulties and moral suffering encountered in nurse auditors’ daily work(1111 Silveira LR, Ramos SRF. Os maiores desafios e dificuldades para realizar o trabalho de fiscal do COREN/SC. Enferm Foco. 2014;5(1):33-36. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2014.v5.n1/2.602
https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2014....
1212 Silveira LR, Ramos FRS, Schneider DG, Vargas MAO, Barlem ELD. Sofrimento moral em enfermeiros dos departamentos de fiscalização do Brasil. Acta Paul Enferm. 2016;29(4):33-36. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0194201600062
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-01942016000...
,1616 Costa IZK. Fiscalização de enfermagem no município do rio de janeiro: assistência neonatal (2010-2019) [Dissertação] [Internet]. Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; 2021[cited 2022 Dec 01]. 104 p. Available from: http://www.unirio.br/ppgenf/dissertacoes-ppgenf-unirio-ano-2021/ingrid-zuvanov-kahl-costa/view
http://www.unirio.br/ppgenf/dissertacoes...
). Auditors, when verifying the management documents, protocols, duty rosters, records and nursing notes, staff sizing, implementation of the Systematization of Nursing Care (SNC) as well as all the factors that involve the work process, aim to ensure safe nursing care within legality, in addition to preventing failures. However, a study that analyzed the legal outcomes of errors in perioperative care and in delivery and birth care related to nursing identified lawsuits for errors related to the absence of nursing records and execution of procedures that are not the responsibility of the nursing team(33 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Resolução COFEN n° 617/2019. Atualiza o Manual de Fiscalização do Sistema Cofen/Conselhos Regionais de Enfermagem, o quadro de Irregularidades e Ilegalidades e dá outras providências [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Jan 07]. Available from: https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen-no-617-2019_74627.html
https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen...
,1919 Reis GAX, Matsuda LM, Souza VS, Ferreira AMD, Oliveira JLC, Costa MAR, et al. Judicialization of nursing malpractice in perioperative care, and delivery and birth assistance. Rev Bras Enferm. 2022;75(1):e20200066. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0066
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0...
).

The peculiarities related to the audit activity in the COFEN/COREN system were also addressed by one of the studies included in the sample that sought to discuss the governance and strategic management process in relation to the COFEN/COREN system’s final and administrative activities. CORENs’ audit activities are linked to DFEP, technical body responsible for executing the necessary strategies for the execution of management guidelines and policies in the area of audit of professional practice, with the objective of standardizing and consolidating the actions that involve professional practice audit(1515 Persegona MFM, Silva MCN, Freire NP, Almeida WC, Filete M, Medeiros GC, et al. Conselho federal de enfermagem: governança e gestão estratégica orientada para resultados das atividades finalísticas. Enferm Foco 2019;10 (6):6-15. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019.v10.n6.3385
https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019....
).

In relation to professional advice in the health sector, research observed that, when analyzing the professions of nursing, dentistry, medicine and pharmacy, nursing is the only one that has an audit process based on Resolutions with an educational character, encouraging ethical values and valuing the work process(1414 Pereira LH, Rodrigues ACC, Santos PT, Ribeiro LCM. Fiscalização do exercício profissional na área da saúde. Enferm Foco. 2019;10(6):28-35. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019.v10.n6.2253
https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019....
). However, the need to consolidate these precepts and strengthen these activities is discussed, in order to expand legislation into practice(1010 Costa EO, Germano RM, Medeiros SM. The fiscalization of the professional practice in the Nursing Federal Council. Reme: Rev Min Enferm. 2014;18(1):208-12. https://doi.org/10.5935/1415-2762.20140016
https://doi.org/10.5935/1415-2762.201400...
).

The reductionism of the activities carried out and the lack of knowledge of the work carried out by the councils, on the part of some professionals, whether they are managers, managers or assistants, may be related to their social value. Research carried out with nurses and nursing technicians on how they saw the activities of nursing councils identified in subjects’ speeches that the audit activity was reported in a punitive perspective(2020 Bezerra MAR, Tôrres LS, Morais LC, Rocha RC, Carneiro CT, Rocha KNS, et al. Concepções da equipe de enfermagem sobre atuação do Sistema Conselho Federal de Enfermagem/Conselhos Regionais. Rev Enferm Atenção Saúde. 2017;6(2):20-32. https://doi.org/10.18554/reas.v6i2.2027
https://doi.org/10.18554/reas.v6i2.2027...
). In order to combat this linked view, COFEN Resolution that conducts the councils’ auditory activity guides that actions must be guided within an educational and participatory dimension, based on pedagogical and open actions, focusing on the quality of care and not merely punitive(1010 Costa EO, Germano RM, Medeiros SM. The fiscalization of the professional practice in the Nursing Federal Council. Reme: Rev Min Enferm. 2014;18(1):208-12. https://doi.org/10.5935/1415-2762.20140016
https://doi.org/10.5935/1415-2762.201400...
).

During audits, the auditors focus on complying with legislation related to professional practice regulation(1919 Reis GAX, Matsuda LM, Souza VS, Ferreira AMD, Oliveira JLC, Costa MAR, et al. Judicialization of nursing malpractice in perioperative care, and delivery and birth assistance. Rev Bras Enferm. 2022;75(1):e20200066. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0066
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0...
). Nursing team activities involve clinical practice activities and technical responsibility, which highlights the inseparability of care and management dimension of the nursing work process. However, in professional practice, it is perceived that there is a difficulty in articulating the dimensions, in which professionals who perform managerial activities tend to value this action in order to support the viability of care; on the other hand, those who are in care tend not to value the management activity, attributing it a purely bureaucratic nature(2121 Hausmann M, Peduzzi M. Articulação entre as dimensões gerencial e assistencial do processo de trabalho do enfermeiro. Texto Contexto Enferm. 2009;18(2):258-65. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-07072009000200008
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-0707200900...
).

Several challenges are related to the audit process of professional practice of nursing. In research carried out with a view to nurse auditors’ work activities, divergences with the institutions visited and a lack of ethical-legal knowledge among nurses were identified. However, a difficulty highlighted by the auditors is related to the lack of standardization of the audit process(1111 Silveira LR, Ramos SRF. Os maiores desafios e dificuldades para realizar o trabalho de fiscal do COREN/SC. Enferm Foco. 2014;5(1):33-36. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2014.v5.n1/2.602
https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2014....
-1212 Silveira LR, Ramos FRS, Schneider DG, Vargas MAO, Barlem ELD. Sofrimento moral em enfermeiros dos departamentos de fiscalização do Brasil. Acta Paul Enferm. 2016;29(4):33-36. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0194201600062
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-01942016000...
). In order to minimize this problem, COFEN, through COFEN Resolution 617/2019, brings new strategies for operating the professional exercise audit system, considering that CORENs can request changes according to each reality so that they do not violate the which is advocated(33 Conselho Federal de Enfermagem (Cofen). Resolução COFEN n° 617/2019. Atualiza o Manual de Fiscalização do Sistema Cofen/Conselhos Regionais de Enfermagem, o quadro de Irregularidades e Ilegalidades e dá outras providências [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Jan 07]. Available from: https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen-no-617-2019_74627.html
https://www.cofen.gov.br/resolucao-cofen...
).

In the international context, a process similar to enforcement is carried out through regulatory laws. However, not all countries and states have the same legal regime, and the divergences found between the places suggest the international political weakening of the profession, in addition to opening up room for greater tolerance of ethical infractions, especially since, in some countries, more than an agency carries out this regulatory process(2222 Duncan S, Thorne S, Rodney P. Evolving trends in nurse regulation: what are the policy impacts for nursing’s social mandate? Nurs Inq. 2014;22(1):27-38. https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.12087
https://doi.org/10.1111/nin.12087...
).

Nurse auditors’ work, as it involves complex activities permeated by administrative and hierarchical procedures, can be fragmented and often time-consuming, if they do not follow the standardized determinations by COFEN. Two studies carried out with nurses auditors from CORENs’ audit departments mentioned a lack of some resources, the main ones being human and technological(1111 Silveira LR, Ramos SRF. Os maiores desafios e dificuldades para realizar o trabalho de fiscal do COREN/SC. Enferm Foco. 2014;5(1):33-36. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2014.v5.n1/2.602
https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2014....
-1212 Silveira LR, Ramos FRS, Schneider DG, Vargas MAO, Barlem ELD. Sofrimento moral em enfermeiros dos departamentos de fiscalização do Brasil. Acta Paul Enferm. 2016;29(4):33-36. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0194201600062
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-01942016000...
).

The lack of human resources can become a limiting factor, since the need to prioritize the institutions to be audited due to their insufficiency was cited(1212 Silveira LR, Ramos FRS, Schneider DG, Vargas MAO, Barlem ELD. Sofrimento moral em enfermeiros dos departamentos de fiscalização do Brasil. Acta Paul Enferm. 2016;29(4):33-36. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0194201600062
https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-01942016000...
). However, in relation to technological resources, investments should serve as subsidies to increase efficiency in order to consider the balance between audit costs and available financial resources(2323 Francisco IMF, Castilho V. A enfermagem e o gerenciamento de custos. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2002;36(3):240-4. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342002000300005
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-6234200200...
).

In relation to costs and time spent on audit activities, variables were analyzed in a study carried out in COREN’s audit department in the state of São Paulo, with an average of R$ 299.15 (US$59.83) and 171 minutes in the first audit of the institution. There are also some elements that can help to increase the time, such as institution size, complexity of services offered and auditors’ specific knowledge and prior experience in the area(1717 Alves VLS, Lima AFC. In loco nursing practice inspection costs in a Brazilian setting. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2022;56:e20210382. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-220XREEUSP-2021-0382
https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-220XREEUSP-...
). This information contributes to the system, by generating subsidies to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the human resources required in the audit process, since audit corresponds to 2.27% of the federal agency’s total budget(1515 Persegona MFM, Silva MCN, Freire NP, Almeida WC, Filete M, Medeiros GC, et al. Conselho federal de enfermagem: governança e gestão estratégica orientada para resultados das atividades finalísticas. Enferm Foco 2019;10 (6):6-15. https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019.v10.n6.3385
https://doi.org/10.21675/2357-707X.2019....
).

The various facets and issues involving the spheres of regulation, audit and professional performance are important for the functioning of nursing services. Audit educates the people involved and combats actions that disrespect the laws, in favor of public interest, individual rights and freedoms, contributing to the improvement of the quality of services provided to the population.

Study limitations

Difficulties related to lack of a specific descriptor limited the searches, since most articles used “Health Regulation and Audit” as a descriptor; however, the definition does not converge with the subject studied, being considered an essential function in public health, whose objective is “to develop and/or improve regulatory frameworks and laws as well as the execution of activities to ensure compliance with regulations in a timely manner, congruent and complete”. The unavailability of some articles in full can be considered a limitation found in the data collection procedure. Moreover, the scarcity of international articles that discuss the audit of the professional practice of nursing in health services limits the discussion only to Brazil.

Contributions to nursing, health, or public policies

Understanding the importance of the activity to guarantee social rights, quality in services and nursing care, in addition to recognizing nursing class councils’ work can support advances in the area. Openness and encouragement for research such as the present one represent a fundamental initiative and commitment to the audit process qualification.

CONCLUSIONS

COREN and COFEN play an important role in regulating nurses’, technicians’ and nursing assistants’ practice, and even with the 27 states of the federation composing the COFEN/COREN system and complying with audit, there is still a lack of dissemination of actions performed, which limits the contributions of the largest professional contingent in the health area.

The audit of professional practice of nursing in Brazil is still little explored, which justifies the need for further studies in the area. The process is discussed, aspects related to costs, challenges and difficulties are discussed, but there is no focus on corrective, disciplinary and educational activities as well as little is said about reports, referrals and outcomes.

Through the set of guidelines that involve the audit process, assistance by a qualified professional is guaranteed, organizing the work process in nursing and safeguarding the society’s interests of public health and well-being.

  • FUNDING
    This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001 and Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul- UFMS/MEC - Brazil.

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Edited by

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Antonio José de Almeida Filho
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Jules Teixeira

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    04 Dec 2023
  • Date of issue
    2023

History

  • Received
    30 Mar 2023
  • Accepted
    14 Aug 2023
Associação Brasileira de Enfermagem SGA Norte Quadra 603 Conj. "B" - Av. L2 Norte 70830-102 Brasília, DF, Brasil, Tel.: (55 61) 3226-0653, Fax: (55 61) 3225-4473 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: reben@abennacional.org.br