P304: Conducts following occupational accidents involving exposure to biological material among emergency medical services personnel

Introduction

The adoption of post-accident conducts can be decisive for minimizing or avoiding the acquisition of diseases as a result of the occupational accident.

Objectives

The aim was to estimate the prevalence of accidents involving exposure to biological material, post-accident conducts and the undertaking of serological monitoring concerning the possibility of transmission of the AIDS virus and Hepatitis B and C among the Emergency Medical Services professionals in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken with professionals of the public EMS in the state of Minas Gerais. Data was collected between December 2011 and July 2012, via a structured questionnaire and analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Characterization of population, post-accident conducts and serological monitoring of the affected professional was verified through calculation of absolute and relative frequencies.

Results

487 workers participated in the study; 124 physicians (25.5%), 60 nurses (12.3%), 173 nurse technicians (35.5%) and 130 drivers (26.7%). The global prevalence of professionals occupationally involved in biological material accidents was 17.0 % (83/487). However, 33.7% of these workers referred to more than one accident, totaling 121 exposures to body fluids in this period. It was ascertained that after the accident, 35.5% (43/121) of the cases reported undergoing medical evaluation; for 29.7% (36/121) an accident report was issued; for 13.2% (16/121), 9.1% (11/121) and 10.7% (13/121) the undertaking of serology for Hepatitis B, C and HIV respectively was mentioned, both from departments and personnel. For Hepatitis B it was ascertained that only 4.9% (6/121) of affected professionals were monitored for one year after the occurrence of exposure to BM; 2.5% (03/121) for Hepatitis C; and 5.8% (07/121) for HIV.

Conclusion

It is hoped that these results may stimulate discussion about the importance of accident notification and evaluation, and of the monitoring of the affected professional.

Disclosure of interest

None declared