SOUZA, Ellen Lucy Vale de; NASCIMENTO, Jennara Candido do; CAETANO, Joselany Afio    ENFERMEIRA, Raquel Cavalcanti Veras Ribeiro. Use of personal protective equipment in the intensive care unit. []. , serIII, 4, pp.125-133. ISSN 0874-0283.

In spite of great advances in the prevention of cross-infection, adherence to the use of personal protective equipment among healthcare workers is a major challenge. This study aimed to analyze the use of Individual Protection Equipment (IPE) by nursing staff in the intensive care units of an emergency hospital in Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. This is an exploratory, descriptive and cross-sectional study, carried out at four units of that institution. Data collection occurred during September and October 2008, through interviews and observation, respecting ethical-legal aspects. Forty-five nursing ICU staff members in the technical and auxiliary categories have participated. The results show that nursing technicians and auxiliaries are aware of the importance of using IPE, but do not use them as frequently as necessary in their daily working practice, due to behavioral and logistic problems. These study results provide a basis for reflection on the importance of identifying the strengths and difficulties staff encounter in using IPE.

: cross infection; prevention and control; nursing team.

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