Standard Precaution Adherence by Nursing Workers: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Objective: to analyze standard precaution adherence and associated factors of nursing workers at a university hospital. Method: this is a study of mixed methods of convergent parallel strategy, carried out in Southern Brazil. The quantitative stage had 602 participants, using the instrument of sociodemographic and professional variables and the Instrument of Variables Related to Standard Precautions, analyzed using descriptive statistics. In the qualitative stage, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 24 workers, analyzed through content analysis. Results: the data showed an intermediate standard precaution adherence. In the Individual Factors dimension, the Prevention Effectiveness Scale showed high scores and the Risk Personality, Risk Perception and Knowledge about Occupational HIV Transmission scales, intermediate scores. In the dimension Work-related factors, both in the Obstacles to Following Standard Precautions Scale and in the Workload Scale, the scores were intermediate. In the Organizational Factors dimension, low scores were found for Climate of Safety and Training in Prevention of Exposure to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and intermediate for Personal Protective Equipment Availability. Qualitative data showed that workers often select patients who they think are at greatest risk for occupational transmission to use standard precautions. Conclusion: standard precaution adherence does not occur fully among participants. Data integration allowed to conclude that, among the main elements that influence this phenomenon, is the lack of clarity of participants as to the purpose, indication and principles of standard precautions.

Práticas de cuidado multiprofissional durante a pandemia da COVID-19

“…O principal modo de transmissão é a quebra da barreira de proteção. Portanto, conhecer e realizar o uso adequado de máscaras, gorros, luvas, aventais, capas para sapatos, óculos ou protetores faciais e realizar a higiene das mãos com água e sabonete líquido ou solução alcoólica a 70% é fundamental 39 .…”

Temporal trend of accidents due to percutaneous exposure in a public hospital in Brazil, 2007-2019

“…The increasing temporal trend in the incidence of percutaneous accidents among workers with a time equal to or greater than 61 months of professional experience in the hospital can be explained by behavioral factors, such as difficulty in adhering to training ( 32 ) and overconfidence to perform procedures invasive ( 15 , 28 ) . Despite the existence of PCMs and resources necessary to carry out safe work, it is often observed that more experienced health professionals put themselves at risk of an occupational accident, even in the possibility of contamination ( 33 - 34 ) .…”

Tendência temporal dos acidentes por exposição percutânea em um hospital público no Brasil, 2007-2019

“…Um estudo que analisou a tendência temporal da taxa de lesões percutâneas em um hospital durante a implantação progressiva de MP com dispositivos de segurança para substituir MP convencionais observou uma tendência de queda entre profissionais (auxiliares de enfermagem) que possuem ensino médio (31) . A tendência temporal crescente da incidência de acidentes percutâneos entre os trabalhadores com tempo igual ou superior a 61 meses de experiência profissional na instituição hospitalar pode ser explicada pelos fatores comportamentais, como a dificuldade de adesão aos treinamentos (32) e excesso de confiança para realizar procedimentos invasivos (15,28) . Apesar de existirem as MCPs e recursos necessários para a realização de um trabalho seguro, observa-se com frequência profissionais da saúde mais experientes se colocando em situação de risco de acidente ocupacional, mesmo na possibilidade de contaminação (33)(34) .…”