Ocorrência de acidentes de trabalho com material biológico potencialmente contaminado em enfermeiros

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of accidents involving potentially contaminated biological material in nurses. Methods: Cross-sectional study involving 121 nurses. The research instrument was a self-applied questionnaire with sociodemographic and occupational accident-related variables. Results: Sixty-five (53.8) nurses were victims of occupational accidents involving exposure to potentially contaminated biological material. Sixty-three (52.1%) were related to piercing-cutting materials and 22 (18.2%) to exposure of the mucosa and/or non-intact skin. No statistically significant difference between the groups was found in terms of accident events and reporting (p=0.791 and p=0.427); knowledge of the immune response (p=0.379); change of piercing-cutting material collector (p=0.372) and training on standard precautions (p=0.158). A statistically significant different in the training was found (p=0.014), as nurses working at smaller establishments indicated greater desire to participate. Conclusion: Accidents are frequent among the nurses and training is positively related with adherence to standard precautions.