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. 2024 Feb 16;21(4):e2022994.
doi: 10.47626/1679-4435-2022-994. eCollection 2023 Oct-Dec.

Factors associated with accidents involving biological material among health professionals

Leila de Fátima Santos  1   2 , Gleisy Kelly Neves Gonçalves  2 , Soraya Rodrigues de Almeida Sanches  1 , Wanessa Trindade Clemente  1
Affiliations

Factors associated with accidents involving biological material among health professionals

Leila de Fátima Santos et al. Rev Bras Med Trab. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Introduction: Accidents with biological material and cuting/piercing instruments among health professionals have led to increased rates of hospital infection and subsequent patient contamination.

Objectives: To compare factors associated with accidents involving biological material among health workers.

Methods: This cross-sectional epidemiological study, conducted in 2019-2020, included 229 physicians and non-physicians.

Results: The sample was 60.7% physicians and 39.3% non-physicians; 51.5% were women; 48.5% were aged ≥40 years; 55% lived with a partner; 57.6% had a specialist or graduate degree; and 51.5% had ≥ 1 child). he physician group had a higher education level, worked > 1 job, and had a high rate of accidents, in addition to lower rates of pre-employment examinations, specific accident training, and supervisor contact in case of accidents. There was also a positive association in the physician group between accidents, employment length, and operating room experience, while age was inversely correlated with accident risk.

Conclusions: Different worker categories had specific risk profiles that involved education level, employment length, a low notification level, and risk underestimation. The results showed that education level and employment length do not guarantee accidents prevention. Both the physician and non-physician groups had significant accident rates and a similar behavior profile when events occurred, including low notification rates and underestimating the risk involved in the accident.

Introdução: Acidentes envolvendo material biológico com instrumentos cortantes e perfurantes entre profissionais de saúde têm sido causa de aumento de infecção hospitalar e, portanto, de contaminação do paciente.

Objetivos: Comparar fatores associados ao acidente com material biológico em trabalhadores da saúde.

Métodos: Estudo epidemiológico transversal envolvendo 229 profissionais, médicos e não médicos (2019-2020).

Resultados: A amostra total foi composta por 229 profissionais (48,1% médicos, 51,9% não médicos, 51,5% mulheres, 48,5% ≥ 40 anos, 55% viviam com companheiro, 57,6% tinham nível educacional de especialização/pós-graduação, 51,5% ≥ um filho). Os profissionais médicos apresentaram maior escolaridade, mais de um emprego e maior proporção de ocorrência de acidentes, bem como menor proporção de exames admissionais, treinamentos específicos e contato com supervisor em casos de acidentes. Ainda, os profissionais médicos apresentaram associação positiva dos acidentes com o tempo de trabalho e o tempo de experiência no bloco cirúrgico, enquanto a idade apresentou relação inversa com as chances de acidentes.

Conclusões: Diferentes categorias de trabalho apresentaram perfil específico de riscos envolvendo estudo e tempo de serviço, baixa notificação e risco subestimado. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que o nível de estudo e o tempo de serviço não foram capazes de garantir a prevenção de acidentes envolvendo material biológico. Além disso, profissionais médicos e não médicos apresentaram não apenas uma incidência significativa de acidentes, mas também um perfil de comportamento semelhante diante do evento, com baixa notificação e risco subestimado do acidente.

Keywords: health personnel; penetrants; professional exposure; risk factors; underreporting.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None

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