Hospitals have been directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to educate health care workers about bloodborne pathogens. The purpose of this descriptive study is to assess the knowledge and concerns of health care workers regarding bloodborne pathogens and describe the application of universal precautions in practice.Orem's Theory of Self-Care was used for the framework because nurses are self-care agents, responsible for personal well-being, as well as patient's well-being. The instrument "Bloodborne Pathogens and Universal Precautions Test" was used to collect the data (Jones & Ryan, 1992). A convenience sample of twelve hospitals within the state of Indiana with four hundred-fifty licensed nursing personnel responded to the questionnaire.Findings revealed a mean score of 84.5 on the knowledge scale. Perception of availability of supplies and equipment ranged from consistently available (68.5% to 98.7%) to never available (0.0% to 0.9%). Perception of application of universal precautions ranged from consistently applied (32.4% to 84.0%) to never applied (0.0% to 9.5%). Content analysis of concerns related by health care workers included fear of contagion and accidental injury.Conclusions indicated knowledge of transmission and availability of supplies do not ensure compliance with universal precautions. Increased knowledge levels will decrease, but not eliminate, fear of contagion.Universal precaution training alone does not adequately prepare health care workers for HIV/AIDS patients. On-going educational endeavors are needed, including affective concerns. / School of Nursing

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Sept. 17, 2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-148).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:34:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:10:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:34:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:10:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / A principal finalidade deste estudo foi avaliar a dose efetiva recebida pelos profissionais de saúde no setor de hemodinâmica de um hospital universitário, na cidade de São Paulo. Para delinear o perfil dos profissionais de saúde foi utilizado um questionário auto-aplicável considerando as variáveis sociodemográficas e variáveis relacionadas ao trabalho em presença de radiação ionizante. A avaliação das doses ocupacionais foi realizada por meio de consulta aos históricos de dose individual do banco de dados da instituição, durante os anos de 2000 a 2009. Um total de 240 registros foi avaliado, envolvendo 38 profissionais ativos (2009), de diferentes categorias profissionais, entre elas, médicos, enfermeiros, tecnólogos em radiologia e auxiliares de enfermagem. As doses efetivas anuais foram comparadas com os limites estabelecidos pelas autoridades regulatórias nacionais. Com base nas doses recebidas e registradas durante o período estudado, foram selecionados cinco médicos para usar mais um dosímetro termoluminescente (em caráter experimental) na mão esquerda, durante a realização dos procedimentos de hemodinâmica. Além disso, foram averiguados os procedimentos de radioproteção adotados pelos profissionais de saúde da instituição estudada. Este estudo permitiu traçar o perfil da equipe médica que integra o serviço de hemodinâmica assim como conhecer a distribuição de suas doses em relação aos limites ao longo dos anos. / Dissertação (Mestrado) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Knowledge and safer practices regarding occupational exposure are crucial to all employees working in healthcare facilities, especially Tuberculosis (TB) hospitals. This study aimed to explore and describe the knowledge and practices of employees working in three specialised TB hospitals regarding occupational exposure to TB. The results of the study will be used to make recommendations to the Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDOH) and hospital managers that could assist in reducing the prevalence of occupational TB. This quantitative, descriptive and contextual study was conducted in three specialised TB hospitals in the Nelson Mandela Bay Health District (NMBHD). Convenience sampling was used to select the research participants. The knowledge and practices of 181 employees towards occupational exposure to TB and infection control was measured through a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire covered areas such as the knowledge of TB and infection control, the infection control policy, infrastructure as well as patient transportation. The whole population was targeted and out of a potential 253 employees, 181 were on duty during the stage of data collection and agreed to willingly participate in the study. The data was analysed descriptively using MS excel and MS word. This study revealed that 69% (n=124/181) of employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD have adequate knowledge of infection control. However, only 10% (n=18/181) of employees reported appropriate infection control practices, while almost half of the participants 42% (n=76) apparently practice infection control poorly. The majority (78%, n=141) of the employees in the three specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD reported knowing about the availability of an infection control policy in their respective hospitals, however only 42 % (n=76) have reportedly read the policy. In conclusion, knowledge and practices regarding occupational exposure in specialised TB hospitals in the NMBHD is not optimal. It is however, important to note that the majority of employees have knowledge about the TB disease itself and its symptoms. Recommendations were made in order to improve infection control knowledge and practices. These include the development of a plan for purchasing of equipment to address infection control, development of a curriculum specific for non-nursing personnel and the establishment of a plan to ensure the availability of patient consultation rooms and dining halls. A further recommendation deemed important by the researcher was isolation glass as a compulsory specification when purchasing patient transportation vehicles, in order to provide protection for the drivers transporting patients to and from the hospital.

In this study twenty-two commercial real estate salespeople were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions: (1) pretest, training, posttest; (2) pretest, no training, posttest; (3) no pretest, training, posttest; (4) no pretest, no training, posttest. The training groups participated in a monitored aerobics training program designed by the Institute for Aerobics Research, Dallas, Texas. In conclusion, it appears that an improvement in employee cardiorespiratory fitness does not necessarily lead to an improvement in job satisfaction or job performance. It is important to note, however, several possible explanations for these results. First, the pretest scores for the Job Descriptive Index were already quite high indicating there was not much room for improvement on posttest scores. Secondly, with regard to performance scores the; small number of subjects may have contributed to the lack of statistical significance. The study had a 46 percent subject loss rate. Thirdly, it would have been more useful to have had subjects who earned approximately the same amount or, at least, did not have the enormous differences in earnings found in this study. Finally, it is suggested that commissions be watched for more than one sales cycle. By incorporating these changes, future studies will have a better chance of determining whether employee fitness affects employee performance or employee satisfaction.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Daily more than 300 000 health care workers in South Africa are to a lesser or greater extent exposed to the risk of deadly viruses which can be transferred through neediestick injuries. It is estimated that currently 9,8 million people in South Africa are HIV positive. This high incidence of HIV has a great impact on the danger of infection from neediestick injuries. It is estimated that 44 000 neediestick injuries takes place annually in South Africa. Despite such a high risk there are currently few safety regulations or official efforts to prevent or determine the true impact and incidence of needlesticks in South Africa. This study project investigated the number of neediestick injuries that could potentially be prevented by the use of needles with safety features and estimated the ranges of benefits and costs of using such safety devices. With the financial constraints that are imposed on South African hospitals, infection control through the use of safety syringes makes economic sense. Prevention of infections is clearly far cheaper than cure. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daagliks word meer as 300 000 gesondheids personeel in Suid Afrika in 'n mindere of meerdere mate blootgestel aan die risiko van lewens gevaarlike viruse wat deur middel van naaldprik ongelukke oorgedra kan word. Hierdie risiko word spesifiek in Suid Afrika verhoog deur die hoë insidensie van HIV. Dit word beraam dat daar tans 9,8 miljoen mense in Suid Afrika is wat HIV positief is. Daar word beraam dat daar tans 44 000 naaldprik ongelukke per jaar in Suid Afrika plaasvind. Ten spyte van die hierdie hoë risko is daar tans min veiligheids regulasies of amptelike pogings om die omvang en voorkoming van naaldprik insidente te bepaal nie. Hierdie studie het die getal naaldprikke wat voorkom kan word deur die gebruik van veiligheids inspuitnaalde ondersoek en het die voordele en kostes van sulke veiligheidsmaatreëls beraam. Gegewe die finasiële druk wat ons tans in Suid Afrikaanse hospitale ondervind, is bewys dat die gebruik van veiligheids inspuitnaalde ekonomiese sin maak. Voorkoming op hierdie manier is bewys as 'n ver goedkoper opsie as nasorg.

Introdução: A transmissão ocupacional de patógenos veiculados pelo sangue é uma realidade na área de saúde, expondo os profissionais ao risco de aquisição do HIV, VHC e VHB dentre outros micro-organismos. Objetivo: Avaliar as condutas de profissionais da área da saúde vítimas de acidentes ocupacionais com material biológico que atuam no Serviço de Atenção Domiciliar de Ribeirão Preto. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo. A população elegível do estudo era de 72 profissionais da área da saúde e foi composta por 58 profissionais que preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas individuais, no período de maio de 2014 a junho de 2015 e analisados por meio de estatística descritiva utilizando-se o programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 17.0. para Windows. Resultados: Dos 58 entrevistados, 19 referiram ter sofrido acidentes com material biológico ao longo de sua experiência profissional na instituição. Ressalta-se que 31,6% dos profissionais acidentados realizaram a conduta correta, ou seja, notificaram o acidente por meio da Comunicação de Acidente de Trabalho e procuraram atendimento clínico especializado, porém 52,6% não realizaram nenhuma conduta após o acidente e 15,8% realizaram conduta incompleta. Os motivos mais frequentemente alegados pelos profissionais para não notificarem o acidente e não procurarem por atendimento clínico especializado foi conhecer o paciente fonte e considerar a lesão superficial. Dos 18 profissionais que relataram conhecer as condutas preconizadas para acidentes com material biológico apenas 33,3% realizaram a conduta completa. Conclusões: O presente estudo permitiu identificar as condutas adotadas pelos profissionais que atuavam no Serviço de Atenção Domiciliar, após a ocorrência de acidente com material biológico / Introduction: The occupational transmission of blood borne pathogens is a reality in the health area, exposing professionals to the risk of acquiring HIV, HCV and HBV among other microorganisms. Objective: To evaluate the conducts of health professionals who are victims of occupational accidents with biological material at the Home Care Service in Ribeirao Preto. Materials and Methods: This is a cross- sectional study approved by the Research Ethics Committee in of the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing. The eligible population of the study was 72 professionals of the health area and was composed by 58 professionals who met the inclusion. The data were collected through individual interviews, in the period from May, 2014 to June, 2015 and analyzed through descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 17.0.for windows. Results: From the 58 interviewed, 19 reported that already had an accident with biological material throughout its professional experience at the institution. It is noteworthy that 31.6% of the accidented professionals made the correct conduct, that consists in notify the accident through the Work Accident Report, and also looked for specialized clinical care, however 52.6% did not perform any conduct after the accident and 15,8% performed an incomplete conduct. The reasons most frequently alleged by professionals for not notifying the accident and not look for specialized clinical care were to know the source patient and considered that they had a superficial injury. From the 18 professionals who reported knowing the recommended procedures for accidents with biological material, only 33.3% had the complete conduct. Conclusions: This study identified the conduct adopted by professionals working at the Home Care Service, after the occurrence of accidents with biological material

Introdução: A transmissão ocupacional de patógenos veiculados pelo sangue é uma realidade na área de saúde, expondo os profissionais ao risco de aquisição do HIV, VHC e VHB dentre outros micro-organismos. Objetivo: Avaliar as condutas de profissionais da área da saúde vítimas de acidentes ocupacionais com material biológico que atuam no Serviço de Atenção Domiciliar de Ribeirão Preto. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo. A população elegível do estudo era de 72 profissionais da área da saúde e foi composta por 58 profissionais que preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas individuais, no período de maio de 2014 a junho de 2015 e analisados por meio de estatística descritiva utilizando-se o programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 17.0. para Windows. Resultados: Dos 58 entrevistados, 19 referiram ter sofrido acidentes com material biológico ao longo de sua experiência profissional na instituição. Ressalta-se que 31,6% dos profissionais acidentados realizaram a conduta correta, ou seja, notificaram o acidente por meio da Comunicação de Acidente de Trabalho e procuraram atendimento clínico especializado, porém 52,6% não realizaram nenhuma conduta após o acidente e 15,8% realizaram conduta incompleta. Os motivos mais frequentemente alegados pelos profissionais para não notificarem o acidente e não procurarem por atendimento clínico especializado foi conhecer o paciente fonte e considerar a lesão superficial. Dos 18 profissionais que relataram conhecer as condutas preconizadas para acidentes com material biológico apenas 33,3% realizaram a conduta completa. Conclusões: O presente estudo permitiu identificar as condutas adotadas pelos profissionais que atuavam no Serviço de Atenção Domiciliar, após a ocorrência de acidente com material biológico / Introduction: The occupational transmission of blood borne pathogens is a reality in the health area, exposing professionals to the risk of acquiring HIV, HCV and HBV among other microorganisms. Objective: To evaluate the conducts of health professionals who are victims of occupational accidents with biological material at the Home Care Service in Ribeirao Preto. Materials and Methods: This is a cross- sectional study approved by the Research Ethics Committee in of the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing. The eligible population of the study was 72 professionals of the health area and was composed by 58 professionals who met the inclusion. The data were collected through individual interviews, in the period from May, 2014 to June, 2015 and analyzed through descriptive statistics using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 17.0.for windows. Results: From the 58 interviewed, 19 reported that already had an accident with biological material throughout its professional experience at the institution. It is noteworthy that 31.6% of the accidented professionals made the correct conduct, that consists in notify the accident through the Work Accident Report, and also looked for specialized clinical care, however 52.6% did not perform any conduct after the accident and 15,8% performed an incomplete conduct. The reasons most frequently alleged by professionals for not notifying the accident and not look for specialized clinical care were to know the source patient and considered that they had a superficial injury. From the 18 professionals who reported knowing the recommended procedures for accidents with biological material, only 33.3% had the complete conduct. Conclusions: This study identified the conduct adopted by professionals working at the Home Care Service, after the occurrence of accidents with biological material

Five chemicals indigenous to the dental office environment that may cause toxic effects are formaldehyde, phenol, acrylic, mercury, and nitrous oxide. These chemicals create abnormal stress on physiological and psychological systems of the body resulting in symptomatology and pathology when the body defenses can no longer maintain homeostasis by adaptation. This study demonstrated serious behavioral consequences of chemical and heavy metal exposure. This study provided evidence that a significant percentage of dental office personnel who are exposed to the dental office chemicals show psycho neurological dysfunction. It was concluded that these individuals suffer adverse reactions to the chemicals in their work environment. The problem areas included perceptual motor difficulty in cognitive functioning, concern with bodily functions, despondency, and interpersonal problems.