An exploratory descriptive study with a quantitative approach whose objective was to use indicators to evaluate the frequency and infrastructure for hand hygiene, as well as the nursing team's knowledge about the subject. Systematized observation was carried out at hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil of the routine activities of 33 participating professionals (nurses and technicians) as well as the application of an individual questionnaire about the subject. 1206 opportunities for hand hygiene were identified, though it was effected in only 481 (39.9%) of them. Alcohol solution was not used at any opportunity. The infrastructure indicatorfor hand hygiene was close to the ideal value (83.30%). The professionals reported a high frequency of hand hygiene, demonstrating knowledge in relation to its importance, yet contradicting the findings of the observation. It was concluded that, despite the adequate infrastructure, hand hygiene was below that expected, requiring actions and strategies to overcomes these barrier and increase the use of alcohol solution.

Objective: Evaluate and correlate individual, work-related and organizational factors that influence adherence to standard precautions among nursing professionals of psychiatric hospitals in São Paulo. Method: An exploratory cross-sectional study conducted with 35 nursing professionals, using the assessment tool for adherence to standard precautions through the Likert scale, ranging from 1 to 5. Results: Knowledge of the precautions received a high score (4.69); adherence received (3.86) and obstacles (3.78), while intermediaries and the scales of organizational factors received low scores (2.61). There was a strong correlation between the magnitude adherence scale and the personal protective equipment availability (r = 0.643; p = 0.000). The training scale for prevention of HIV exposure (p = 0.007) was statistically different between the nurses and nursing assistants. Conclusion: The organizational factors negatively contributed to adherence to standard precautions, indicating that psychiatric institutions lack safe working conditions, ongoing training and management actions to control infections. Factors influencing adherence to standard precautions among nursing professionals in psychiatric hospitals * Fatores que influenciam a adesão às precauções-padrão entre profissionais de enfermagem em hospital psiquiátrico Factores que influencian la adhesión a las precauciones estándares entre profesionales de enfermería en hospital psiquiátrico DESCRIPTORS

This exploratory cross-sectional study aims to investigate good practice for preventing and controlling infections in a psychiatric hospital and for limiting potential exposure to biohazards for nursing professionals at this hospital located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The researchers directly and systematically observed 830 nursing procedures, 40.6% of which presented a moderate to high risk of biohazard exposure. Results indicate very low adherence to hand hygiene (1.2% before procedures, 2.9% after procedures), inappropriate use of gloves, and other instances of noncompliance to the standards of good practice for preventing and controlling infection, such as a lack of concurrent/terminal cleaning of dirty beds (132 instances) and careless manipulation of sharp devices (34 instances).