THE CHALLENGES FACED BY NURSES IN PROCESSING HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS IN THE CENTRAL STERILE SUPPLY DEPARTMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT SAFETY

Abstract

The Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) is a strategic sector for the prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and for ensuring patient safety. Nurses, as technical managers of this environment, face complex challenges that directly impact the quality of all stages of healthcare product processing. This study analyzed these challenges and their implications through an integrative literature review, based on 20 articles published between 2020 and 2026 in the BVS, SciELO, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The findings were organized into six categories: work process and organization, operational nonconformities, professional training, technological traceability, nursing management, and direct impacts on patient safety. It was found that structural failures, deficits in continuing education, limited use of technologies, and a still fragile safety culture reduce adherence to established protocols and increase avoidable risks to patients. It is concluded that the qualified performance of the nurse, combined with consistent institutional support and ongoing education of the team, is essential to ensure quality and safety throughout the processing of materials.