[HIV and the nursing professional in the face of needlestick accidents].
The goal of this study was to identify the scientific production about work-related needlestick accidents among nursing professionals involving HIV-contaminated biological material, as well as to characterize the pre-existing factors to such accidents, such as procedures occurring after the exposure to potentially HIV-contaminated needlestick material. This is a literature review, whose bibliographic search for keywords was carried out within the LILACS databases from the year 2000 onward. This study confirms that pre-existing factors for the occurrence of work-related needlestick accidents are related to work conditions as much as to individual conditions. In face of these accidents, the nursing workers need to know the conducts concerning post-exposure to potentially HIV-contaminated needlestick material. We conclude that the adoption of standardized precautions when working in healthcare is a fundamental condition for worker safety, independently of their area of expertise, given the increasing number of HIV cases.
Vieira
Mariana
M
Programa de Pós-Graduação da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brasil. nanyufsc@ibest.com.br
Padilha
Maria Itayra Coelho de Souza
MI
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D009740:Nursing Staff; D016635:Universal Precautions