Compliance and knowledge of health professionals regarding airborne precautions

Abstract

To assess compliance to measures regarding airborne precautions, as well as knowledge about the application of these measures among health professionals of a service specialized in the care of patients with tuberculosis. Methods: an observational cross-sectional study, which evaluated compliance opportunities through observation (n=143) and knowledge through a questionnaire (76). Results: the door of the isolation areas remained open at 13.3%. The wards had high filtration filter, but in 60.9% of observations this was off. As for the mask, 99.3% of health professionals used it before entering the isolation area and 58.7% kept the same mask after leaving. Responses from professionals about airborne precautions characterized little knowledge about these measures. Conclusion: continuing education campaigns to raise awareness can be adopted to increase the compliance to airborne precautions and reduce the risk of occupational exposure.