Nursing Contributions To Enhancing Patient Safety And Healthcare Quality: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Patient safety and healthcare quality are foundational pillars of effective health systems, and nurses play a central role in ensuring both. This systematic review explores the multifaceted contributions of nursing practice to enhancing patient safety and improving care quality across various healthcare settings. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 2016 and 2025. The analysis highlights critical nursing functions such as surveillance, communication, error reporting, and evidence-based care implementation. Findings indicate that nurse-led initiatives in infection prevention, medication management, patient education, and interprofessional collaboration significantly reduce adverse events and enhance patient satisfaction. Furthermore, the integration of continuous training, leadership involvement, and digital technologies has expanded nursing’s capacity to promote safety and quality outcomes. The study underscores the necessity of organizational support, adequate staffing, and empowerment policies to maximize nursing effectiveness. The review concludes that nursing practice is indispensable to building resilient, high-quality healthcare systems that align with global safety standards and national transformation agendas such as Saudi Vision 2030.