CONSTRUCTION OF A VIRTUAL GUIDE AS A TOOL FOR THE UPA NURSING TEAM IN THE CONTEXT OF HOSPITAL ACCREDITATION

Abstract

Hospital Accreditation is a method of external evaluation and voluntary certification that attests to the quality and safety of services provided by healthcare institutions, based on previously defined standards and requirements. The process aims at the continuous improvement of management and care, with a primary focus on patient safety, and generally involves institutional preparation, a self-assessment phase, and, finally, a thorough external evaluation conducted by specialized accrediting bodies. Hospital Accreditation offers advantages for both the institution and patients. The general objective of this study was to develop a virtual educational guide to promote the quality of healthcare services provided by the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) of Itapipoca, Ceará, from the perspective of the nursing team’s performance within the context of Hospital Accreditation. To achieve this objective, a methodological study with a qualitative approach was conducted, which was necessary to identify the organization of care and administrative processes at the Itapipoca UPA and to analyze the strategies used by healthcare professionals to maintain the quality of care process. Based on the data collected, a virtual educational guide was developed to support nurses in understanding this process. Data were collected using an online questionnaire administered via Google Forms, following prior authorization from the participating subjects. The results were analyzed and interpreted through content analysis. It was possible to identify, in the nurses’ statements, that they understand the relevance of the accreditation process for improving care and enhancing patient safety. However, they agree that greater involvement of staff members is required to effectively achieve positive outcomes for patients, along with a deeper understanding of the concept and objectives of the accreditation process. In this context, it was observed that greater knowledge of how the process works, combined with increased professional engagement, may enhance the likelihood of providing high-quality care and greater safety for all patients. Therefore, the virtual guide was approved considering its appearance, content, and significance. The educational guide is a tool designed to maintain and/or improve the quality of services provided by this healthcare institution, supporting management practices and staff in their daily work routines.