B9414 - Promozione della sicurezza delle cure e responsabilità infermieristica

Learning outcomes

The nurse contributes to clinical governance by promoting the best possible conditions for patient safety, which is an essential component of the right to health and is pursued in the interest of both the individual and the community.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• Understand the legislative evolution of the nursing profession;

• Analyze the areas of nursing competence and responsibility;

• Acquire knowledge on how to document assessments, interventions, and care outcomes.

Real clinical events will be discussed during the course.

Course contents

Introduction to Patient Safety

Key Concepts: Adverse event, error, near event, near miss

Patient safety as a right (Law 24/2017 – Gelli-Bianco Law)

World Health Organization and international standards (e.g., WHO Patient Safety)

Clinical risk management

Reporting systems and event analysis (Incident Reporting, Root Cause Analysis)

Safety tools: Checklists, audits, standardized procedures

Context analysis and systemic prevention

Professional Responsibility of the Nurse

Legal and regulatory aspects (Ministerial Decree 739/94, Code of Ethics, Law 24/2017)

Criminal, civil, and disciplinary liability

Gross negligence, team responsibility, and delegation-related liability

Errors in healthcare: psychological and organizational aspects

Punitive cultures vs just cultures ("Just Culture")

The “second victim” phenomenon

Strategies to manage and communicate errors

Safety and Technology

Errors related to medical devices and drug therapies

Cybersecurity and health documentation

Management of medical records and electronic reporting systems

Experiences and Best Practices

Case studies

Legal case analysis

Readings/Bibliography

- Papi, L., Gori, F. & Turillazzi, E. (2022). Medicina legale per la professione infermieristica.

- Benci (2019). Aspetti giuridici della professione infermieristica (VIII ed.). Milano: McGraw-Hill

- Ministero della Sanità (1994). Regolamento concernente l’individuazione della figura e del relativo profilo professionale dell’infermiere (Decreto Ministeriale 14 settembre 1994, n. 739). Gazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana, Serie Generale, n. 230 del 3 ottobre 1994.

- WHO (2021). Patient Safety Curriculum Guide

- Gelli, F. (2017). La responsabilità professionale sanitaria dopo la legge 24/2017

- Ministero della Salute Linee guida per la gestione del rischio clinico

- Codice Deontologico FNOPI (2025)

- Articles recommended by the lecturer during the course

Teaching methods

• Face-to-face lecture

• Analysis and discussion of clinical cases

Assessment methods

Written exam with multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions

 

Teaching tools

Teaching equipment: Computer with video projector, internet access, presentation slides, academic articles, and group work handouts.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Ceccaroni