Educational intervention on biosafety with hospital hygiene and cleaning workers^*

Objective to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention with hospital cleaning and sanitizing workers in protecting against injuries caused by biological agents.

Method this was a prospective, quasi-experimental, before-and-after study with a single group, analyzing workers’ behavior regarding adherence to standard precautions. Data was collected from 106 cleaning and sanitizing workers through a demographic and occupational questionnaire and a knowledge and behavioral survey on preventing diseases caused by biological agents. Participants’ behavior related to biosafety was observed before and after the educational intervention. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.

Results 77.4% of the workers are female and approximately 42% have worked for up to a year. As for the level of education, 39.6% had completed high school and 29.2% had incomplete primary education. The median score for adherence to standard precautions: pre-intervention 14 points and post-intervention 17 points. Among the observations before dressing, adherence to hand hygiene with soap and water rose from 41.7% to 75.0% after the intervention.

Conclusion the educational intervention, based on theoretical-practical workshops and active methodologies, improved adherence to biosafety practices, as evidenced by both reported behavior and direct observation. The leadership and commitment of hospital managers are crucial for the continuity of education and biosafety practices, ensuring the safety of professionals and patients. Future studies should focus on the health of hospital cleaning and sanitizing workers, including educational programs and the relationship between their activities and patient safety against infections in healthcare services.

Descriptors:
Continuing Education; Occupational Health; Hospital Housekeeping; Personal Protective Equipment; Occupational Exposure; Inservice Training

Highlights:

(1) Including hospital hygiene and cleaning professionals in biosafety. (2) Continuing education to promote biosafety among cleaning workers. (3) Continuing education using active methodologies. (4) Continuing education to promote adherence to PPE among hospital cleaning workers.