Safety-engineered sharp devices versus accidents with exposure to biological material/ Dispositivos de seguranca em instrumentos perfurocortantes versus acidentes com exposicao a material biologic/ Dispositivos de seguridad en instrumentos cortopunzantes versus accidentes con exposicion a material biologico

This integrative literature review, to examine the relationship between safety engineering of sharp devices and the occurrence of accidents among health care professionals using these devices, was conducted on the Scientific Electronic Library Online and Virtual Health Library databases, with the descriptors [in Portuguese] equipment safety, risk management, accident prevention, exposure to biological agents, and health personnel. The 14 articles found as a result were discussed in two categories: safety engineering on sharp devices, and accidents using sharp devices with and without safety engineering. It was concluded that safety engineering on sharp devices has yielded a reduction in accidents involving exposure to biological material; favors the institution economically; promotes workers' health and safety and, consequently, improves the quality of client care.