Sick building syndrome in workers in the emergency area of a Venezuelan hospital

Abstract

The objective of the study was to diagnose Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in workers in the emergency area of a Hospital de Los Valles Del Tuy in the state of Miranda. Under a quantitative paradigm, with a non-experimental, descriptive and cross-sectional design, an observation of the work process and identification of risk factors was carried out, using the Preliminary Risk Identification Sheet and PAHO Tool No. 11; for the detection of the SEE and its permanence after leaving the building, the questionnaires of the NTP-290 and 380 respectively were applied. The results show predominant symptoms such as: headache, nasal congestion, dry eyes, itchy throat and cough; the most relevant risk factors were: poor lighting (76 %), lack of cleanliness (71 %), too hot (67 %), lack of ventilation (59 %) and lack of privacy (41 %). The presence of SBS is possible, since symptoms occur ≥ 20 % in the study population during the stay at the institution and disappear when they leave the institution. It is recommended to activate a maintenance program in the ventilation system, lighting, furniture, work instruments and infrastructure in general; give continuity to this research and provide its results to the study personnel and the employer, which lead to the application of health and safety policies at work to guarantee safe and healthy working conditions for both workers and users of this service.