Florence Nightingale's Contemporary Legacy for Patient Safety: Implications for Nursing and Public Health

Alcantara E.L.; Silva C.P.G.; Almeida Filho A.J.; Cavalcanti H.C.N.; Duarte S.C.M.; Santos T.C.F. · Nursing Inquiry (2026) · DOI: 10.1111/nin.70149

Resumen

This paper critically examines Florence Nightingale's legacy and its ongoing relevance to contemporary patient safety. Drawing on Notes on Nursing, the study highlights Nightingale's emphasis on hygiene, cleanliness, environmental factors, and systematic care as foundational to reducing harm and improving patient outcomes. Her insights laid the groundwork for infection prevention and control practices that remain central to modern nursing and healthcare safety protocols. Nightingale's principles align closely with current patient safety frameworks and global initiatives, such as the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan, emphasizing the social responsibility of healthcare professionals. Despite scientific advances and evolving healthcare systems, her legacy continues to influence nursing practices by reinforcing systematized, ethical, and patient-centered care. This enduring relevance underscores the critical role of nursing in safeguarding health and promoting safety in diverse clinical settings. This study advocates for ongoing recognition and integration of Nightingale's principles to enhance patient safety and care quality in modern healthcare. Her legacy remains an epistemological and practical resource for advancing nursing theory, patient-centered care, and critical reflection in healthcare. Trial Registration: Not applicable.

Instituciones: Universidad Católica Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo