OBJECTIVE: to determine nursing role during the accreditation process of the emergency room of a university hospital to meet the criteria of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. METHODS: a critical-reflexive process was used to obtain the opinion of eight nurses regarding their role in setting up the structure of the nursing service. RESULTS: the main items related to the structure of the nursing service were: (1) well trained emergency team; (2) appropriate documentation of care; (3) maintaining necessary equipment, medications, and supplies accessible; and, (4) keeping family members or responsible party well informed regarding the patient's progress. CONCLUSION: this study may lead to further reflections on ways to reach quality care and meet requirements for accreditation.
Accreditation; Total quality management; Quality of care; Quality assurance; health care; Emergency service