Adherence of nursing professionals to clinical follow-up after occupational exposure to biological material

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the adherence of nursing professionals to clinical follow-up after occupational exposure to biological material, in a special outpatient clinic for Occupational Accidents among Health Care Workers (AOPS). Data refer to accidents occurred to nursing professionals between July and December of 2006, and were obtained by consulting patient files. The study was developed in two outpatient clinics in a large sized University Hospital located in Ribeirão Preto/ Brazil. It was observed that in 30.4% of the cases the use of antiretroviral agents was indicated for chemoprevention, and 31.3% of those presented adverse effects. It is highlighted that 69.6% of the professionals completed the indicated clinical treatment. It is fundamental to implement an educational program among health workers to prevent occupational exposures and promote the adherence to clinical follow-up after exposure.