Abstract

JEFFERSON MARTINS, Ronald et al. Perception of the standard precautions, practice of re-capping of needles and practices when facing an accident involving biological material of dental health teams at dental public service. Cienc Trab. [online]. 2018, vol.20, n.62, pp.70-75. ISSN 0718-2449.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-24492018000200070.

This study aimed to verify the knowledge and adoption of the stan dard precautions (PP), especially in the practice of not re-capping needles; the actions to be taken in relation to accidents and aspects related to the prevention of infections, by the dental health teams of the public service of a city in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. We also assessed the materials discarded in the containers of group E in all dental care units of the city. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied, with questions about the theme. Of the 79 subjects surveyed, 60 answered the questionnaire, where 33 (55%) were dental surgeons. 34 (56.6%) professionals did not know what PP were and 43 (71.6%) reported re-capping needles. 27 (44.9%) had already suffered some kind of accident with sharp tools or contaminated material with blood and 44 (73.3%) were unaware or made mistakes about the immediate care in case of skin or percutaneous exposure. Regarding the analysis of the disposal containers, 5,193 discarded needles were observed, of which 3,790 (73%) were re-capped on one or both sides. Also, we observed the improper disposal of non- sharps material. We concluded that there is a lack of knowledge about standard precautions and conducts in cases of accidents with biological material, besides the incorrect disposal of materials in the containers of group E.

Keywords : health personnel; universal precautions; occupational risks; exposure to biological agents; needles; wounds; penetrating.

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