title: Complaints filed against nursing professionals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In their daily practice, Brazilian nurses have been met with complaints from co-workers and patients, as well as bioethical dilemmas intrinsic to the profession, particularly in the context of care delivery. Complaints against nursing professionals have been in the media spotlight.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine complaints filed with the Regional Board of Nursing of Mato Grosso do Sul (COREN-MS) in Midwest Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, analytical desk research of 111 complaints received by COREN-MS in 2003-2013 was carried out. Characterizations of complainant, professionals investigated, and complaints were the variables investigated. Ethical consideration: The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. To ensure confidentiality and anonymity, all documents retrieved were examined in situ and subjects were assigned numbered codes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most complainants were nursing professionals (40). Most causes of complaint originated in the hospital setting (65). Most allegations were made against nursing technicians and licensed practical nurses (82). Complaints involving interprofessional relationships (85), iatrogenic events (36), and professional liability (20) predominated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bioethical principles were breached, translating to poor-quality nursing care, detrimental to the professional image of nurses among users and nursing professionals alike.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings can serve as input to guide nursing schools and boards of nursing in developing policies to raise awareness among nursing professionals, sensitizing them to the responsible provision of care in the light of bioethical and legal principles.
authors.forename: Adaiele Lucia Nogueira Vieira
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Mariluci Camargo Ferreira
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: da Silva Candido
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sebastião Junior Henrique
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Regina Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D001938:Brazil; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bioethics; nursing; professional ethics