ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE TO BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS AMONG NURSING STUDENTS

Entela DRIZAJ, Shkëlqim HIDRI

Abstract

Biological risk is one of the main risks for healthcare workers and nursing students in their hospital activity. In particular, students represent a category at risk, due to inexperience and lack of technical skills. During hospital practice, they are in direct contact with biological materials (blood, saliva, other body fluids, respiratory aerosols, etc.) as well as with blood or other contaminated materials or instruments potentially infected biological material substrate. Exposure to biological risk is caused by accidental needlestick or sharps injuries (72%), followed by mucocutaneous contact (28%). The objective of this study was the identification of incidents that occurred as a result of exposure to biological agents and the use of protective measures during professional practices. An electronic questionnaire was administered to students attending the first, second and third years at the Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences, Elbasan. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic data, the rate of exposure to biological agents and the use of PPE. The results of the study showed 59.5% of cases of biological injuries where the highest number occurred in the practice of the first year. 47.8% of students suffered injuries from needle piercing, where the needle was sterile. The ward with the highest number of incidents turns out to be infectious with 53.9% of cases. According to 84% of the students, nurses must wash their hands and use a face mask, as well as sterile gloves as a protective measure before performing various medical techniques. Safety training should start early in the training curriculum with theoretical and practical courses as well including awareness sessions. Safety and biosecurity in the workplace must be integrated and modeled in undergraduate and postgraduate courses to create a clear safety culture.

Pages: 171 - 177