Clinical treatment adherence of health care workers and students exposed to potentially infectious biological material

Abstract

Objective:To assess adherence to clinical appointments by health care workers (HCW) and students who suffered accidents with potentially infectious biological material. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study that assessed clinical records of accidents involving biological material between 2005 and 2010 in a specialized unit. Results: A total of 461 individuals exposed to biological material were treated, of which 389 (84.4%) were HCWs and 72 (15.6%) students. Of the 461 exposed individuals, 307 (66.6%) attended a follow-up appointment. Individuals who had suffered an accident with a known source patient were 29 times more likely to show up to their scheduled follow-up appointments (OR: 29.98; CI95%: 16.09-55.83). Conclusion: The predictor in both univariate and multivariate analyses for adherence to clinical follow-up appointment was having a known source patient with nonreactive serology for the human immunodeficiency virus and/or hepatitis B and C.

Profile of Brazilian workers victims of occupational accidents with biological fluids

“…The greatest number of accidents occurred among nursing workers, with 47.3%, followed by dentistry workers, with 22.3% of accidents. Among nursing workers, the most affected were nursing assistants, with 31.7%, 7.8% nursing technicians and 7.8% nurses; and of dentistry, 14.3% were dentists and 8% were dental assistants (16) . Considering that nursing professionals had the second highest density of incidence in this research, it should be pointed out that the number of OABFs is higher among these professionals because this category has the highest number of workers in the health area and is exposed to risks in the development of their work activity, which is the direct care to the patient.…”

The Health of Nursing Professionals: Reviewing Health Promotion Strategies / Saúde dos Trabalhadores de Enfermagem: Revisando as Estratégias de Promoção à Saúde

“…11 Attitudes and protection and safety behaviors are often underestimated by the professional himself, who is exposed to the blood and body fluids potentially contaminated by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and C Virus (HBV and HCV). 12 This diversity of actions and responsibilities may be contributing to the emergence of work-related diseases or even occupational diseases such as cardiopulmonary, infectious, parasitic or emotional and psychic disorders. 13 Despite the existence of a Health Monitoring System of the Nursing Professional that allows the quantification of the sickness of these workers through the Communications of Work Accidents and the work leave by a medical permit, 14 so, it is desired to get to know the established health promotion strategies towards nursing professionals.…”

Acidente de trabalho com material biológico: fatores associados ao abandono do acompanhamento clínico-laboratorial

“…In the case of HIV, for example, they can reduce the seroconversion risk by 81% if applied in a timely manner (3) . Despite the protection level from prophylactic behavior and the seroconversion risk following an accident with biological material, many health workers abandon the follow-up; this means they do not attend outpatient consultations and do not perform the recommended laboratory tests (2,4) .…”

“…The adherence rate to follow-up in Brazil ranges from 2.2% to 54.0%, which highlights the seroconversion risk (6)(7) . Factors related to exposure characteristics, worker profile, network organization responsible for injured care and employer support may be associated with follow-up interruption (4,(8)(9)(10) .…”