ADMINISTRAÇÃO DE DROGAS VASOATIVAS PELA ENFERMAGEM EM UTIS: DESAFIOS, ERROS E ESTRATÉGIAS DE SEGURANÇA

Abstract

The present study aimed to objective identify the causes of errors and iatrogenic events related to the nursing team in the administration of vasoactive drugs in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), emphasizing patient safety, length of stay, and clinical outcomes. As method, an integrative literature review was conducted, including national and international studies published between 2020 and 2024, filtered for full-text availability and relevance, resulting in eight studies included. In the results, it was observed that patients receiving vasoactive drugs present a high severity level, multiple invasive devices, and a higher prevalence of comorbidities, with norepinephrine being the most frequently used drug, followed by other catecholamines, while epinephrine was associated with higher mortality and adverse events. Knowledge gaps among nursing staff regarding dilution, compatibility, infusion rates, and monitoring were identified and linked to medication errors and incidents. Additionally, organizational factors such as workload, communication failures, and inadequate infrastructure contributed to patient risk. In the discussion and conclusions, it is highlighted that the combination of clear protocols, continuous education, qualified leadership, and intensive monitoring constitutes a central pillar for patient safety in ICUs, reducing adverse events and improving the quality of care.