ACIDENTES DE TRABALHO NA EQUIPE DE ENFERMAGEM DE UM HOSPITAL DE ENSINO DO PARANÁ - BRASIL

Abstract

The present work is a descriptive epidemiologic study of transverse delineation. Its aim was to analyze typical work accidents (TWAs) reported by nursing employees according to variants in time, space and people, as well as to estimate risk indicators. It was carried out at a study hospital (SH) in the north region of Paraná and the population was made up of an annual average of 634.5 nursing professionals. Data collection was carried out through examination of 392 work accident reports since 1997 until 2002, which included Communication of Work Related Accidents and Notice of Work Related Accidents involving Biological Material. For analysis and discussion of the results, a database was prepared using Epi-info 6.04 C. The results showed that from 392 reported accidents, 89% (349) were typical (TWAs) and presented Annual Average Risk Coefficient (AARC) of 9.2 accidents per 100 employees. The most affected were Nursing Technicians/Assistants, with 93.9% (328) of the cases and AARC of 10.4. Accidents involving exposure to biological materials were the most frequent –
64.2% (224) of the reported ones– reaching an AARC of 5.9; they mainly affected the hands of the employees during handling of needles and other sharp objects. It was observed the need for implementation of preventive actions such as revision of work processes, implementation of permanent educational activities and special attention in the prevention of serious occupational diseases such as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and Hepatitis B and C.