Manejo de desechos cortopunzantes por el personal de enfermería del área de traumatología en un hospital de la ciudad de Guayaquil.

Abstract

The management of sharps waste, particularly needles, represents a significant challenge in the field of nursing, with repercussions that go beyond the hospital environment and directly affect the community as a whole. Objective: Describe the management of sharps waste by the nursing staff of the trauma area of the General Hospital of the North IESS los Ceibos. Methodological Design: descriptive, quantitative, prospective, crosssectional study. Population: 50 nursing professionals. Technique: Questionnaire and direct observation matrix. Instrument: Information collection and direct observation matrix. Results: The prevailing age was 35 to 44 years (50%), female sex (56%), position Graduates in nursing (74%), 5 to 7 years working in the institution (54%), shift 12 hours per day (100%); type of sharp waste that is frequently removed is the needle (100%) and blisters (96%); (32%) recaps used needles, does not use retractable needles or needles that are covered after use (100%), never seals and labels sharps as "Danger Contaminated Material" (60%), sometimes complies with removing guards to ¾ full (38%) and 100% avoid bending or breaking the needles. Conclusion: It is evident that a large part of nursing professionals adequately handle sharps waste, however, some safety deficiencies are identified, which can be improved through training or supervision. This would ensure safe handling of this waste, protecting both the health of staff and patients.