Avaliação da adoção de medidas de precaução padrão por profissionais de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde em Belo Horizonte

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the adoption of Standard Precautions (SP) among professionals of a Basic Health Unit in the city of Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais. This is an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. Data collection was performed by students of the Education Program for Health Work (PET-Saúde) with the use of direct observation of areas of the health units considered critical, semi-critical and non-critical, and interviews with healthcare professionals. In the Basic Health Unit, 66 observations were made, and 42 professionals were interviewed. A frequency of less than 50% was observed for handwashing and appropriate waste disposal. Negative aspects in Biosafety listed by respondents were lack of materials (26%), physical structure that is not suitable for performing handwashing standards (14.3%), and lack of adherence to SP by professionals (12%). The results of this research subsidized contributions to the improvement of conditions of Biosafety at the health unit provided by the students of PET-Saúde, which are applicable to other Basic Health Units. Further actions are recommended to increase the adoption of SP, such as adjustments in the physical infrastructure and supply of materials, and systematic educational activities for health professionals.