Biological risk in nursing care provided in family health units

Authors

  • Ana Carla Moreira Cardoso Universidade Federal de São Carlos; Departamento de Enfermagem
  • Rosely Moralez de Figueiredo Universidade Federal de São Carlos; Departamento de Enfermagem

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692010000300011

Keywords:

Nursing, Occupation Risks, Exposure to Biological Agents

Abstract

There is very frequent exposure to potentially contaminated material in procedures performed by nursing professionals. This exploratory and descriptive study characterizes the potential risk of biological exposure in procedures performed by nursing professionals in ten Family Health units in São Carlos-SP, Brazil. We observed 238 procedures involving potential risk of contact with biological material, in which more than 90% involved the use of needles. The average rates of adherence to standard precautions were: 27.9% hand washing prior to procedures; 41.4% use of gloves; and 88.8% adequate disposal of piercing and cutting instruments. These professionals are subject to risks similar to those which hospital workers are also subjected, because they have a high risk of blood exposure and the frequency with which they handle needles is very high.

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Published

2010-06-01

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 3 (2010)

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Cardoso, A. C. M., & Figueiredo, R. M. de. (2010). Biological risk in nursing care provided in family health units . Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 18(3), 368-372. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692010000300011