Acidentes ocupacionais com material biológico: a percepção do profissional acidentado

Abstract

This qualitative research aims at identifying the perception of health care workers of different categories from a specialized institution in emergency health service in the city of Goiânia regarding the context involving biohazard accidents. Firstly, 382 workers were given a questionnaire in order to identify those who had experienced an accident, 39 of which also took part in an interview addressing the general aspects of the accidents. Among the main accident causes to be highlighted are: unattention, non-adherence to preventive measures, patient's severity and hurry. Among the experienced feelings the main ones are: inconfidence, fear of contamination, rage, and even calmness. Half reported no consequence resulted from the accident. Data points to the need of self-worth concerning the worker's health and also of programs aiming at occupational safety enhancement.

Occupational exposure to contaminated biological material: perceptions and feelings experienced among dental students

“…Therefore, many of these students who were accident victims decided on continuing with caring for the patient and not registering the notification. Although the literature shows that work accidents with blood and oral fluids trigger a process of reflex-action in exposed workers, leading to a profound view of their understanding with respect to work accidents 18 , there are other individuals who play down the severity of such accidents, because they are not really aware of the risks involved 9 . This disdain can be observed in the present study, in situations such as a small cut reported, having confidence in the source-patient's anamnesis, or the fact of the patient being a child.…”

“…This activity, qualified as being incorrect, must be performed with the use of safety devices, such as hemostatic forceps or needle holders. This portion shows the lack of PPE use: The literature shows that lack or inadequate use of PPEs implies the more frequent occurrence of accidents 8,9 . The preventive measures in Dentistry involves working practices based on the use of PPEs, and particularly training and qualification in risk management.…”

“…One of the reasons is the under-notification of cases among students and health professionals 9 , either because of the inconvenience and fear that the accident report may cause, or because of lack of knowledge about the need for notification of the accident, or disbelief of the importance and severity of a work accident of this nature 10 . It is estimated that 50% of accidents due to perforating sharps are not notified 11 .…”

Intervening factors in attention flow of professionals injured by biological material

“…In this context, it is necessary to develop actions towards the improvement of those conditions and organize the work to prevent accidents with biological material (17,19) , the organizational, material, structural, behavioral and human resources restructuration are essential to reduce the risks involved in the health work dynamics (11,20) . To assess those organizational variables that compose the work process routine is an important strategy to identify preventive measures to be implemented to modify this reality (21) .…”

“…A study (19) showed that the previous experience with accidents provokes learning experience in relation to the post-accident conduct. The exposition situations, although induces to learning, generates dissatisfaction and suffering regarding their work (9)(10)(11) .…”