Il fenomeno infortunistico a rischio biologico nel personale infermieristico dell'azienda ospedaliera di Foggia: individuazione del fabbisogno formativo

Health care workers represent an important job category at biological- risk injuries. Possible exposure of these workers could be studied through the evaluation of indirect indices such as the incidence of injuries with biological agents, workers compliance to universal precautions, frequency of contact with potential sources of exposure to biological agents. The aim of the study was to investigate the ways of occurrence of injuries involving biological agents in a group of nurses, in order to design a subsequent training programs. The study population was represented by 53 nurses from 5 divisions of the Foggia Hospital. To each subject was administered a questionnaire to collect information about demographic data and occupational history, taking into account previous accidents involving biological agents. The Injuries Registry of The Foggia Hospital, updated to March 2006, was consulted to verify the information provided by interviewed workers. The results show that procedures mostly associated to the injuries occurrence are those involving needlesticks (endovenous/intramuscular injections; blood drawning etc.) Fatigue and, in a less extent, hurry are reported by affected workers as principal causes of the events. The identification of factors associated to injuries in health care workers allows specific prevention programmes to be targeted at those workers at greater risk.