Epidemiological analysis of accidents with biological material in an eye hospital

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the incidence and characteristics of accidents with biological material in an ophthalmology hospital in the Northeast of Brazil. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study on ducted through a survey of biological material accidents notified by Comunicacao de Acidentes de Trabalho (CAT) during 2010-2013. Results: 34 accidents were reported, 26 (76.5%) workers were females and 8 (23.5%) were males. The mean age was 30.0 ± 5.9 years. Forty-eight (82.3%) accidents occurred in the surgical room of the hospital, 15 (44.1%) were with auxiliary / practical nurses, 8 (23.5%) with surgical technologists, 5 (14.7%) with training physicians, 4 (11.8%) with trained physicians and 2 (5.9%) with cleaning staff. Accidents were with percutaneus in 30 (88.2%) cases, and contact with mucosa in 4 (11.7%). In 28 (82.4%) cases the accident was in the upper limb, 4 (11.8%) in the face, and 2 (5.8%) in the lower limbs. The accident occurred during surgery in 12 (35.3%) and 10 (29.4%) during manipulation of the material after surgery. The injuries occurred with employees who had an average of two years of experience and after 5.5 hours worked. Conclusion: Occupational accidents with biological material in an ophthalmology hospital were more frequent with auxiliary/practical nurses, during surgery and in the manipulation of instruments after surgery.This study demonstrated the importance of identifying risks of occupational accidents among health professionals in ophthalmology.