Use and updating of standard operating procedures in hospital nursing: a reflective study

Abstract

Objective: To present a reflection on the processes of use and updating of standard operating procedures in Nursing care within the hospital context. Method: A critical-analytical reflection study, based on a scientific literature review and the authors' professional experiences, articulating available evidence with academic and clinical experiences in the field of hospital Nursing. Results: The analysis revealed that, although standard operating procedures are recognized as essential instruments for standardizing care practices, promoting patient safety, and improving the quality of care, their daily use still faces structural, operational, and cultural barriers. It was also observed that there is a lack of systematized updating processes, which may compromise continuous alignment with the best scientific evidence and the reality of healthcare institutions. Furthermore, limiting factors were identified, such as difficulties in accessing protocols, insufficient training, work overload, and professional disinterest. Conclusion: The effectiveness of standard operating procedures depends on the creation of easy-access strategies, the implementation of permanent education actions, and the systematization of participatory updating processes. This reflection contributes by proposing recommendations directed at different stakeholders involved in the use and updating processes, thereby promoting safe and high-quality practices in Nursing care.