FEAR MEMORY AND PREVENTIVE AWARENESS: THE ROLE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT DURING THE PANDEMIC FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF NURSING TECHNICIANS

Abstract

Epidemics and pandemics have affected the global social dynamics, in the historical course of humanity, with the health area being the most affected. This study aimed to describe the perceptions of nursing team technicians regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the pandemic context, bringing to light important discussions about safety and vulnerabilities at work. This is a qualitative study, carried out through interviews with 16 nursing technicians working in a philanthropic hospital in Vitória, ES, Brazil. The data were analyzed by content analysis. The research was approved by the ethics committee. The results revealed that, although most professionals have never suffered any type of biological contamination at work, they all say that they know colleagues who have already suffered this adverse event. Due to the constant proximity to patients and because they feel more vulnerable to contamination, technicians have become more informed and aware of the importance of using PPE, routinely adopting them in their practices. However, during the pandemic, the fear of contamination persisted as a significant part of their daily lives, despite the awareness of the importance of the equipment and its permanent use in the care of all patients. In addition to the provision of quality PPE, on-the-job training, with information on the recommended standards, as well as charging for its use, is a factor of essential importance for occupational safety. In addition, pandemics leave in mind the fear and also the importance of using PPE AS crucial tools for facing health crises.