Biomedical subjects

Milca Severino Pereira

Publications and source records attributed to Milca Severino Pereira.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Profile of antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) in a Brazilian health care institution.

Cockroaches carry microorganisms to sterilized materials, equipment and non-contaminated food in hospitals and in homes. Hence, they are regarded as major microbial vectors. We isolated and identified microorganisms from living cockroaches captured from a Brazilian health care institution and we determined the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates. Following collection, cockroaches were immobilized at 4 degrees C for 10 to 20 minutes, immersed in 0.8% saline solution and then homogenized. Next, the suspension was seeded in culture media: brain and heart agar infusion, MacConkey agar, Naito agar, and they were incubated for up to 48 hours at 37 degrees C. Sabouraud agar cultures were incubated at ambient temperature. The microbial colonies were analyzed with a stereomicroscope to count and phenotypically identify the colony-forming units (cfu). The disc-diffusion method was used to determine the profile of susceptibility to antimicrobials. Among the 103 cockroaches analyzed, fungi were found in 97%, enterobacteria in 74.6% and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) in 25.40%. Among the enterobacteria, 96% were resistant to gentamicin, 84% to ampicillin, 75.3% to caphalothin, 66.7% to ampicillin-sulbactam, 50% to aztreonam and 30% to chloramphenicol. Among the CNS, 61% were resistant to oxacillin. We concluded that cockroaches carry organisms associated with nosocomial infections and that are resistant to antimicrobials. This fact contributes to the epidemiological chain, complicating therapeutics, and consequently, medical costs are increased.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational accidents with biohazards: the perception of the injured worker].

This qualitative research aims at identifying the perception of health care workers of different categories from a specialized institution in emergency health service in the city of Goiânia regarding the context involving biohazard accidents. Firstly, 382 workers were given a questionnaire in order to identify those who had experienced an accident, 39 of which also took part in an interview addressing the general aspects of the accidents. Among the main accident causes to be highlighted are: unattention, non-adherence to preventive measures, patient's severity and hurry. Among the experienced feelings the main ones are: inconfidence, fear of contamination, rage, and even calmness. Half reported no consequence resulted from the accident. Data points to the need of self-worth concerning the worker's health and also of programs aiming at occupational safety enhancement.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hand hygiene: The impact of incentive strategies on adherence among healthcare workers from a newborn intensive care unit.

We carried out a before-after non-controlled intervention study to assess the impact of different handwashing strategies in health care workers at a neonatal ICU in Goiânia - Goiás, Brazil. All ethical aspects were considered. Data was collected by using a check list in order to register hand hygiene opportunities during six months. Three strategies were elaborated together with the hospital team. We observed 1358 handwashing opportunities. Incentive strategies caused a small impact on the increase of adherence to hand hygiene during and after the implementation period. However, we noticed that this increase mainly occurred after the procedures were realized. On the whole, adherence levels were similar before (62.2%) and after (61.6%) the procedures. The study showed that health care workers were more worried about individual risks.

Brazil↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nurses' understanding of standard precautions at a public hospital in Goiania - GO, Brazil.

Standard Precautions (SP) are effective strategies to prevent and control nosocomial infections. This study aimed to verify nurses' understanding about standard precaution measures. Data were collected through interviews, followed by content analysis in accordance with Bardin. Eighty-two nurses took part in this study, 75.6% of whom understand SP as protective measures: for professionals (11.0%); for both professionals and patients (52.4%); for patient care independently of the diagnosis (7.3%); for patients with diagnosed infection (9.8%). Other nurses indicated SP as human care (4.9%) and only as Individual Protection Equipment (IPE) (11.0%). Most participants' understanding points to favorable cognitive adaptation to the daily implementation of SP. However, reductionist and even mistaken perceptions about their range persist, which makes the social function of these measures vulnerable.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Teaching infection control: a theoretical and practical essay].

This article contains reflections concerning infection prevention and control measures starting from the adherence of health professionals to prevention measures. It points out worrisome environment-related aspects stemming from the use of disposable materials in spite of the benefits that they represent in terms of safety and reduction of operational costs, among others. All these issues are presented as a challenge to infection control teaching in the education of health professionals. Some guiding presuppositions are also presented.

Health Personnel↗