Pharmacological Competencies in Nursing: Prevention of Medication Errors and Patient Safety in Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacology focused on the study of the effects of chemical compounds on living organisms, consolidating itself as an essential discipline in health. Its evolution allowed significant advances in modern medicine, standing out in critical areas such as Intensive Care Units (ICU). In these environments, where patients require precise pharmacological care, medication errors (ME) were identified as one of the main causes of preventable adverse events. Institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO) stressed the need to improve pharmacological competencies to ensure patient safety.
Development: Pharmacological training in nursing proved to be a major challenge. Although emphasis was placed on key areas such as pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, deficiencies were observed in practical knowledge and the ability to prevent errors in drug administration. The problem was addressed from a systemic approach using tools such as Reason's model, which made it possible to identify structural and underlying failures in pharmacotherapeutic processes. In parallel, pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology stood out as pillars to monitor the safe use of medications, promoting an organizational culture oriented to learning and continuous improvement.
Conclusions: It was concluded that pharmacological competence in Nursing is fundamental to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety. The integration of theoretical training, practical skills and ethical attitudes was key to address the challenges in critical contexts such as ICUs. In addition, it was recommended to strengthen continuous training systems and adopt interdisciplinary strategies to reduce medication-related risks and improve the quality of health care.