Objective

To identify the scientific publications about adverse events related to practical assistance and discuss the culture of patient safety.

Methods

An integrative literature review was done through research in MEDLINE, LILACS and BDENF available in BVS, using the following descriptors: patient safety, patient assistance, surveillance of sentinel event, safety management. 26 scientific articles published in the period defined for this review, 2005 to 2015 met the inclusion criteria.

Results

The analysis of the articles revealed five major categories: characteristics of adverse events related to practical assistance, adverse events occurrence implications, measures for the prevention of adverse events, notifications of adverse events and the intervenient factors and the knowledge and the culture of safety.

Conclusion

The punitive culture comes as responsible for underreporting and omission of adverse events, being constituted a barrier to effective implementation of investigations. It is essential to foster a safety culture to establish strategies that ensure the care provision free of damage.

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