Work incidents with biological material in the nursing team of a hospital in Mid-Western Brazil / Trabajar accidentes con material biológico en el personal de enfermería en un hospital de la región central de Brasil / Acidentes de trabalho com material biológico na equipe de enfermagem de um hospital do Centro-Oeste brasileiro

Abstract Objectives: To investigate and describe the occurrence and characteristics of Work Incidents (WI) with Potentially Contaminated Biological Material (PCBM), the frequency and variables related to this occurrence among nursing categories. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was performed at a referral hospital in the State of Mato Grosso, Mid-Western Brazil. Results: Women represented 90.5% of all participants and the mean age was 42.59 years. A total of 46.6% of professionals reported having undergone exposure to PCBM, 60.9% stated not having made a report, and 42.6% reported having participated in training courses on this subject. Comparing the occurrence of WI between nursing assistants and nurses, nursing assistants were more affected (p = 0.022). Conclusions: Among nursing professionals, the number of WI is high, recurrent and underreported. Continuing education on this theme is required to ensure the quality of care and promote workers' health.

Resumen Objetivos: Evaluar y describen la ocurrencia y características de los accidentes industriales (AT) potencialmente contaminados con material biológico (MBPC), la frecuencia y las variables relacionadas con la aparición de la categoría de enfermería. Método: Estudio descriptivo transversal, con abordaje cuantitativo, realizado en Hospital referencia en el Estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Resultados: Las mujeres representaban el 90,5% de los participantes; la edad media fue de 42,59 años. Un total de 46,6% de los encuestados reportó haber sufrido exposición a MBPC, y el 60,9% no había hecho la notificación, el 42,6% dijo que había participado en una formación sobre el tema. La comparación de la ocurrencia de AT entre los grupos de las enfermeras y auxiliares de enfermería, auxiliares fueron los más afectados (p = 0,022). Conclusión: En los profesionales de enfermería, el número de AT es elevado, recurrente y subnotificado. La educación permanente relacionada con la temática es necesaria para garantizar la calidad de la asistencia y promover la salud del trabajador.

Resumo Objetivos: Investigar e descrever a ocorrência e as características dos Acidentes de Trabalho (AT) com Material Biológico Potencialmente Contaminado (MBPC), a frequência e as variáveis relacionadas à ocorrência entre as categorias de enfermagem. Método: Estudo descritivo, transversal, de abordagem quantitativa, realizado em um hospital referência no estado de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Resultados: As mulheres representaram 90,5% dos participantes e a média de idade foi de 42,59 anos. Um total de 46,6% dos profissionais relatou já ter sofrido exposição a MBPC, e 60,9% referiram não ter realizado a notificação e 42,6% afirmaram terem participado de treinamentos sobre a temática. Na comparação entre a ocorrência de AT entre os grupos de enfermeiros e auxiliares de enfermagem, os auxiliares foram mais acometidos (p = 0,022). Conclusão: Nos profissionais de enfermagem, o número de AT é elevado, recorrente e subnotificado. A educação permanente relacionada à temática é necessária para garantir a qualidade da assistência e promover a saúde do trabalhador.

Epidemiology of Emergency Medical Services-Assessed Mass Casualty Incidents according to Causes

To effectively mitigate and reduce the burden of mass casualty incidents (MCIs), preparedness measures should be based on MCIs' epidemiological characteristics. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of emergency medical services (EMS)-assessed MCIs from multiple areas according to cause. Therefore, we extracted the records of all MCIs that involved > or = 6 patients from an EMS database. All patients involved in EMS-assessed MCIs from six areas were eligible for this study, and their prehospital and hospital records were reviewed for a 1-year period. The EMS-assessed MCIs were categorized as being caused by fire accidents (FAs), road traffic accidents (RTAs), chemical and biological agents (CBs), and other mechanical causes (MECHs). A total of 362 EMS-assessed MCIs were identified, with a crude incidence rate of 0.6-5.0/100,000 population. Among these MCIs, 322 were caused by RTAs. The MCIs involved 2,578 patients, and 54.3% of these patients were women. We observed that the most common mechanism of injury varied according to MCI cause, and that a higher number of patients per incident was associated with a longer prehospital time. The highest hospital admission rate was observed for CBs (16 patients, 55.2%), and most patients in RTAs and MECHs experienced non-severe injuries. The total number of deaths was 32 (1.2%). An EMS-assessed MCI database was established using the EMS database and medical records review. Our findings indicate that RTA MCIs create a burden on EMS and emergency department resources, although CB MCIs create a burden on hospitals' resources.