Risk management in the scope of nursing professionals in the hospital setting

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate occupational hazards affecting nursing professionals’ health in the environment of the hospital. Method: Descriptive-exploratory research with a qualitative approach. Results: The main hazards affecting nursing professionals were work overload due to the large number of patients or the small number of professionals, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient organizational management. It became evident the work interferences in the nursing professional’s life are enormous. Despite the existence of health occupational risk management, there is still a shortage of bigger endeavors to be employed in the hospital routine. As a main result of the study, a Standard Operational Protocol (SOP) for biological risk was created to be applied in a hospital setting. Conclusion: Based on the identification of occupational hazards, it was suggested the Standard Operational Protocol which should be standardized to manage biological occupational hazards, to ensure the adequate flow of procedures after the exposure, as well as the occupational safety of nursing professionals.