Daniel Marques da Silva

Perspective of health professionals on hand hygiene.

OBJECTIVEnTo identify the practices reported by health professionals on hand hygiene; To determine how the practices of hand hygiene are related to socio-demographic and professional variables and variables in the context of practice.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnA descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional study conducted in a hospital in central Portugal, in May and June, 2012. 71 health professionals participated, with 23.9% physicians, 64.8% nurses and 11.3% operating assistants, in paediatrics, neonatology and paediatric emergencies. The majority was female (91.5%) and 32.4% are between the ages of 31 and 40 years. A questionnaire developed from DGS (General Health Directorate) recommendations was applied with questions on socio-demographic and professional characteristics as well as on the context of practice.nnnRESULTSnThe professionals are motivated to perform hand hygiene (98.6%). In self-assessment, they practice hand hygiene appropriately, however the results revealed that 43.7% of subjects reported little knowledge concerning the interference of ornaments on the practice of hand hygiene, 38% of the sample reported the steps of the hand washing technique improperly, and approximately 43% of the sample does not practice hygiene at the correct times. The majority of the participants who use a proper technique are nurses, with significant differences with regards to doctors and operating assistants (P=.001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnMost have knowledge about the practice of hand hygiene; however, some professional groups need to improve their practice of proper technique and the correct time to do so. Approximately a third did not attend specific training, leading us to reflect on the need to invest in training.

Perceção dos profissionais de saúde sobre a cultura de segurança do doente pediátrico

Background: The safety culture of any organization holds special meaning for the patients, taxpayers, managers and care providers, and it is a phenomenon tha...

Perceção das mães sobre as práticas dos enfermeiros na promoção do aleitamento materno

Theoretical framework: The success of breastfeeding depends onthe mother’s historical, sociocultural, and psychological factors,as well as on the health prof...

Nurses' perceptions of advance directives

OBJECTIVEnTo identify nurses perceptions of Advance Directives (AD) and to analyse the influence of experience with AD on their perception.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnQuantitative, descriptive, correlational study conducted in a hospital in central Portugal with a sample of 139 nurses, aged 20-60 and in which 78.4% are women and 74% are under 40 years of age. A questionnaire was applied on nurses perceptions of AD, their socio-demographic characteristics, and professional experiences with AD.nnnRESULTSnNurses with 26-30 years of experience have a more critical position with regards to AD (P=.03). Approximately 95% of nurses have no experience of situations where they were given the opportunity for the patient to decide using the AD, nor did they experience situations where the patient has been informed of this right. Most nurses (72.7%) expressed their readiness to reflect with the patient to preparing the AD document and 45.3% would only do so, if the patient or the family requested it.nnnCONCLUSIONnNurses have little experience with AD. They are available to respect the patients will but did not feel able to address the issue on their own initiative. Most agree that the AD can fail if the patient does not reevaluate it periodically. Reflection and debate on the ethical issues surrounding AD should be promoted: promoting patient autonomy, care in vulnerable situations, team decisions and conscientious objection.