O Trabalho no centro de material e esterilização : invisibilidade e valor social

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2009

RESUMO

This exploratory-descriptive study, carried out in two public state hospitals in Santa Catarina, Brazil, is characterized as an investigation in the area of human social interaction with a qualitative approach. The sample consisted of workers form CME and also by health professionals from other units of hospitals and nursing managers and directors of institutions totaling 44 workers. Triangulation was used in data collection, including the semi-structured interview, observation, and documental analysis. The research question was: which factors make work in the Materials and Sterilization Center invisible and undervalued, both for the workers involved and the institution itself? Some theoretical elements from historical-dialectic materialism formed the theoretical reference used, in such a fashion as to consider the organization of CME work in an articulated practice for social totality. Data analysis revealed two large categories: a) The organization of work in the CME and b) Invisibility in CME work. It became evident that the invisibility of CME work is connected to power relationships, having to do with the value assigned to the activities executed by its workers, high frequency tasks developed by outsiders, albeit with lesser social value, are one of the causes of the undervaluing of this work, or rather, the structure determines what should be in the shadows and what should be illuminated. Still the nursing worker hopes for external recognition for his/her work, at the same time in which he/she undervalues it through acts or words, without valuing their work internally. In this study, those interviewed said they love their work, exaggeratingly emphasizing their speech, perhaps desiring to cloak the undervaluing of their actions or hiding such considerations from the researcher, as well as from themselves, which is unbearable in reality: not accepting what one does and the absence of social recognition. Another cause is related to the question of gender, as the majority of these professionals are women, which explains much of the undervaluing of this work, even though it is part of nursing work. Thus, a better comprehension of the CME work process according to the theory of work processes and supported with historical materialism has made it possible to amplify this horizon in the 10 sense of seeking alternatives which offer a glimpse into the visibility and value of the work of this all-important service in daily practices for health care institutions. As such, this study was one more step in the direction of better comprehension of the symbolic content of work, confirming the view that the socio-historical practice everyday expressed in gender issues, social value of work and power relations, interconnected, makes working on CME invisible and devalued.

ASSUNTO(S)

enfermagem materiais biomedicos - esterilizacao hospitais - florianopolis (sc) serviços de saúde - florianopolis (sc) enfermagem desinfeccao e desinfetantes

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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