Aspectos ético-legales en el cuidado de enfermería.Revisión sistematica

Abstract

Background: Ethical-legal aspects are fundamental to nursing practice, as they ensure the quality of care, the protection of patient rights, and professional responsibility. Objective: To analyze the ethical-legal aspects of nursing care through a systematic review based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to analyze the ethical and legal aspects in nursing. Studies published between 2015 and 2024 in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were included; non-peer-reviewed publications were excluded. The search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and LILACS using MeSH/DeCS terms. The selection process included three phases: identification, screening, and inclusion, which were documented using the PRISMA diagram. Relevant data were extracted in Excel, and a narrative synthesis of the main findings was elaborated. Results: Twenty-one studies were included, addressing three main areas: bioethical principles, regulatory frameworks, and ethical dilemmas. Uneven application of bioethical principles was observed, influenced by the level of training and institutional support. Legal frameworks, especially in Latin America, were found to be fragmented and outdated. Ethical dilemmas were frequent in critical contexts where institutional guidance was scarce. Conclusions: Ethics in nursing requires a comprehensive approach that integrates practical training, current regulations, and organizational structures that support clinical decision-making. It highlights the need for policies that strengthen the ethical and legal components of nursing practice. Keywords: bioethics, nursing ethics, legal standards.