Patient Safety Incidents in Emergency Department: The Role of Nursing Care - A Systematic Review
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Emergency Department (ED) is a high-risk area for patient safety incidents (PSIs) due to overcrowding, high acuity, time pressure, and frequent interruptions. Nursing care plays a central role in preventing and mitigating these incidents.
Objective: To systematically review the evidence on types, prevalence, contributing factors of PSIs in ED and the role of nursing care in prevention.
Methods: Systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Databases searched: PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Saudi Digital Library from 2015-2025. Inclusion criteria: Original studies, English language, focused on PSIs in ED related to nursing care. Quality appraisal using JBI Critical Appraisal Tools.
Results: 12 studies met inclusion criteria (n= 5,847 ED visits / 1,240 nurses). Most common PSIs were medication errors (28-47%), falls, communication failures, delayed care, and healthcare-associated infections. Key contributing factors were overcrowding, nurse-patient ratio <1:4, fatigue, poor handover, and lack of safety culture.
Conclusion: Nursing interventions including standardized handover (SBAR), double-check medication, triage competency, and safety culture training significantly reduced PSIs by 18-35%.