MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF CARE FLOW IN AN EMERGENCY CARE UNIT OF A SMALL MUNICIPALITY IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Abstract

Objective: To develop, validate, and implement a clinical protocol for an emergency care unit in a small municipality in Southern Brazil. Methods: Methodological and applied study with a qualitative approach and the use of quantitative procedures, conducted in four stages: situational diagnosis of the service, development of the clinical protocol, validation by expert judges, and staff training for protocol implementation. Fourteen multidisciplinary healthcare professionals participated in the diagnostic stage, and 12 expert judges (eight physicians and four nurses) participated in the protocol validation process. The training stage involved eight healthcare professionals, including three physicians, two nurses, and three nursing technicians. Results: The situational diagnosis identified weaknesses related to overcrowding, high healthcare demand, the absence of clinical protocols, and insufficient continuing professional education. The clinical protocol showed excellent content validity (Content Validity Index [CVI] = 0.92) and satisfactory internal consistency. The training intervention resulted in a mean increase of 38% in participants’ knowledge scores. Conclusion: The clinical protocol proved to be valid and applicable, contributing to the standardization of clinical practices and the organization of care flow. Further studies are needed to evaluate its impact on healthcare performance indicators.