A study was undertaken in a pediatric teaching hospital to evaluate the nurses understanding about risk factors for nosocomial infections. The data were obtained in interviews with nurses of the emergency room, intensive and semi-intensive units. The analysis of the meaning of the conversation permitted the identification of the following risk factors: inadequacy of the hospital design and construction, deficiency of care equipments and supplies, understaffing, lack of education and training to the healthcare workers and orientation to the patients family.
Cross infection; Risk factors; Nurses