Occupational risks among a nursing staff working in an intensive care unit

Abstract

This is a descriptive study that detected the main occupational risks to which the nursing staff working in an intensive care unit are exposed. The data were colected through individual interviews, using a structured script. It was verified that the workers are exposed to the risks of accidents related to the care procedures to the patients and to the environment work. It was observed that most of the workers wore gloves, masks and gown as protection barriers and a low percentage wore googles as a safety measure. The results demonstrated that the work environment has to be modified in order to reduce the risks in care procedures and to the environment work, besides the training, awareness of security rules and provision of security materials for the nursing staff.