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Background: Although Ewing sarcoma is one of the most common malignant bone tumours, its occurrence in the scapula is extremely rare. Case report: The authors present a case of a 23-yearold male with an Ewing sarcoma in the right scapula, managed through a limb-sparing procedure involving total scapulectomy (Malawer type III) and humeral head suspension to the clavicle. Two years post-surgery, the patient developed a clavicle stress fracture, an uncommon complication. Surgical repair with anatomic clavicle plating, and a pectoralis major pedicled flap for soft tissue coverage were performed. Discussion: Despite the occurrence of a rare complication, functional assessment and overall percepted impact on the patient were consistent with outcomes and scores reported in literature. Conclusion: This case reflects the authors experience with a challenging case, which ultimately resulted in an improved quality of life for the patient, enabling him to be well adapated in daily activities.

Introduction: Infantile hemangioma (IH) is a benign tumor of the vascular endothelium, characterized by early appearance, rapid growth, and slow involution. It is the most common tumor in the pediatric age group, and several risk factors are associated with its development. Case Report: Monozygotic twins, female, 29 weeks premature and with low birth weight, presenting reddish spots that after 15 days evolved into erythematous tumors, with a diagnosis of IH. Conclusion: This case report exemplifies simultaneously the main risk factors associated with the evelopment of IH. Recognition of these factors by pediatricians is crucial for early diagnosis, appropriate follow-up, and management.

Objectives: Determine the frequency of dermatological diagnoses in preterm newborns up to 28 days of life and associated perinatal factors. Method: a cross-sectional analytical study with a convenience sample and prospective data collection, was conducted between November 2017 and August 2019. Overall, 341 preterm newborns who had been admitted to a University hospital – including those admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – were evaluated. Results: 61 (17.9%) had less than 32 weeks gestational age (GA), with a mean GA and birth weight of 33.9 ± 2.8 weeks and 2107.8 ± 679.8g (465 to 4230g), respectively. The median age at the time of evaluation was 2.9 days (4 h to 27 days). The frequency of dermatological diagnoses was 100% and 98.5% of the sample had two or more, with an average of 4.67+1.53 dermatoses for each newborn. The 10 most frequent diagnoses were lanugo (85.9%), salmon patch (72.4%), sebaceous hyperplasia (68.6%), physiological desquamation (54.8%), dermal melanocytosis (38.7%), Epstein pearls (37.2%), milia (32.2%), traumatic skin lesions (24%), toxic erythema (16.7%), and contact dermatitis (5%). Those with GA< 28 weeks showed more traumatic injuries and abrasions, whereas those with ≥ 28 weeks had physiological changes more frequently, and those with GA between 34-366/7 weeks, had transient changes. Conclusion: Dermatological diagnoses were frequent in our sample and those with higher GA showed a higher frequency of physiological (lanugo and salmon patch) and transient changes (toxic erythema and miliaria). Traumatic lesions and contact dermatitis were among the 10 most frequent injuries, reinforcing the need to effectively implement neonatal skin care protocols, especially in preterm.

INTRODUCTION: The use of statins in hemodialysis patients is a topic of ongoing research and debate. Patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis constitute a large proportion of patients treated in the vascular surgery field. Clinical data of the protective statin effect on this group is scarce and conflicting results exist regarding cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and limb outcomes. METHODS: We performed a thorough electronic search of the literature using PubMed and Embase databases to understand the relationship between statin effect and cardiovascular, limb outcomes and cerebrovascular outcomes. A narrative review was constructed, based on the obtained literature. RESULTS: Although the use of statins in hemodialysis patients may provide cardiovascular benefits, the optimal dosage and safety profile of these medications in this population remain uncertain. A carefully evaluation of the risks and benefits of statins should be made based on each patient's specific requirements and circumstances. CONCLUSION: The role of statins for patients with peripheral arterial disease who are on hemodialysis remains unclear. Further analyses should focus on this subgroup of dialysis patients, who are becoming more prevalent on the vascular surgery departments, allowing for an optimized treatment with better patient outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The descending thoracic aorta (DTA) has been used as inflow mostly as a secondary option for revascularization after either graft failure/infection or other intra-abdominal pathologies contraindicating a standard abdominal aortic approach. The objective of this review is to summarize current evidence on the use of this inflow site for revascularization procedures. METHODS: A comprehensive electronic literature search was performed, using PubMed and Embase databases. All literature published in English in the last 30 years was considered. The main goal was to assess the feasibility and practicality of implementing this approach in cases of severe and complex aortoiliac lesions. RESULTS: Our review comprised 11 articles. DTA has been used predominately as a secondary option. The 30-day mortality rate was 4% (9/222). Secondary graft patency at 5-years was generally high across all studies. The use of DTA as inflow has been shown to be a safe and effective option for aorto-iliac reconstruction. CONCLUSION: DTA can be used safely as an inflow for lower-limb revascularization and it remains an important tool in the vascular surgeon's armamentarium.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge and the perceptions of acne among adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, carried out from May 2018 to May 2019. Data were collected through a questi-onnaire administered to students aged 13 to 20 years enrolled in two schools, with 793 participants (462 from a public school and 331 from a private school). Data were evaluated by Pearsons chi-square test, Yates test and Students t tests. RESULTS: The mean age was 15.02±1.25 years in the private school, and 16.21±1.45 years (p=0.07) in the public school. In the private school, 75.8% of adolescents had acne, against 79.6% from the public (p=0.08). In the private school, 54.7% consulted a doctor due to acne, against 45.8% in the public school (p

Ilio-iliac arteriovenous fistula occurs in 1% of all common iliac artery aneurysms, a rare complication of this identity. A variety of symptoms appear depending on the size and location of the fistula, making the correct diagnosis quite difficult, only 37–52% of the cases are diagnosed before surgery. We report a case of an abdominal infrarenal aneurysm and right common iliac aneurysm, with fistula into the left common iliac vein, presenting with acute nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea and left leg edema, inducing to the incorrect diagnosis of venous thromboembolism.

Descending thoracic aorta (DTA) inflow has been utilized as a secondary choice for restoring blood flow in cases of aortoiliac occlusive disease. This option is considered when graft failure, infection, or other intra-abdominal conditions contraindicates the use of the standard abdominal aortic approach. Additionally, when the abdominal aorta develops extensive and complicated circumferential calcified lesions, making it unsafe to clamp this segment, a DTA bypass can serve as a secure and effective alternative. It remains an important tool in the arsenal of vascular surgeons. The presence of coral reef aorta, a rare condition characterized by outwardly projecting calcified plaques on the juxtarenal and visceral aorta, poses a challenge in determining the best treatment approach, as it has yet to be defined.

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of a children's soap with physiological pH in maintaining cutaneous pH and moisture of the newborn (NB)’s skin after the first bath. Methods: Randomized, controlled and double-blind clinical trial in a rooming-in of a tertiary maternity hospital in southern Brazil with 204 newborns > 34 gestational weeks. Gestational and obstetric history was evaluated, and newborns were randomized into two groups according to the product applied in the bath: the control group (CG), which used common liquid soap with pH 7.0 and experimental group (EG), which used children's liquid soap with pH 5.8. Evaluation was made immediately before and after bath with skin pH measurement, corneometry and clinical parameters (erythema, scaling and moisture), on the forehead, abdomen and thigh. Results: There was no difference between groups regarding gestational, obstetric and family history (p > 0.05). In CG, skin pH increased in the abdomen and thigh (p

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of dermatological diagnoses in preterm newborns and the associated perinatal factors. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional analytical study with a convenience sample and prospective data collection, carried out between November 2017 and May 2018. Were examined 151 premature and late preterm neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in a hospital of tertiary care level. The studied population was evaluated to evidence, describe and photograph the dermatological diagnoses present up to 28 days of life. RESULTS: The frequency of dermatological diagnoses was 99.3%, being the most observed: lanugo in 128 newborns (84.7%), salmon spot in 115 (76.1%), sebaceous hyperplasia in 89 (58. 9%), physiological flaking in 74 (49%), mongolian stain in 54 (35.7%), Epsteins pearl in 43 (28.4%), traumatic skin lesions in 42 (27.8%), milia cyst in 40 (26.4%), jaundice in 36 (23.8%) and toxic erythema in 20 (13.2%). Participants with a higher gestational age had a higher frequency of salmon spot, toxic erythema, mongolian spot, sebaceous hyperplasia, milia cyst and Epsteins pearl. CONCLUSION: Dermatological diagnoses were frequent and those of older gestational age had a higher frequency of physiological changes and birthmarks. Traumatic skin lesions were among the 10 most frequently observed, reinforcing the need to implement protocols for neonatal skin care, with emphasis on premature infants.

Peripheral venous catheters (PVCs) are the most used vascular access devices in the world. However, failure rates remain considerably high, with complications such as PVC-related infections posing significant threats to patients’ well-being. In Portugal, studies evaluating the contamination of these vascular medical devices and characterizing the associated microorganisms are scarce and lack insight into potential virulence factors. To address this gap, we analyzed 110 PVC tips collected in a large tertiary hospital in Portugal. Experiments followed Maki et al.’s semi-quantitative method for microbiological diagnosis. Staphylococcus spp. were subsequently studied for the antimicrobial susceptibility profile by disc diffusion method and based on the cefoxitin phenotype, were further classified into strains resistant to methicillin. Screening for the mecA gene was also done by a polymerase chain reaction and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)-vancomycin as determined by E-test, proteolytic and hemolytic activity on skimmed milk 1% plate and blood agar, respectively. The biofilm formation was evaluated on microplate reading through iodonitrotetrazolium chloride 95% (INT). Overall, 30% of PVCs were contaminated, and the most prevalent genus was Staphylococcus spp., 48.8%. This genus presented resistance to penicillin (91%), erythromycin (82%), ciprofloxacin (64%), and cefoxitin (59%). Thus, 59% of strains were considered resistant to methicillin; however, we detected the mecA gene in 82% of the isolates tested. Regarding the virulence factors, 36.4% presented α-hemolysis and 22.7% β-hemolysis, 63.6% presented a positive result for the production of proteases, and 63.6% presented a biofilm formation capacity. Nearly 36.4% were simultaneously resistant to methicillin and showed expression of proteases and/or hemolysins, biofilm formation, and the MIC to vancomycin were greater than 2 µg/mL. Conclusion: PVCs were mainly contaminated with Staphylococcus spp., with high pathogenicity and resistance to antibiotics. The production of virulence factors strengthens the attachment and the permanence to the catheter’s lumen. Quality improvement initiatives are needed to mitigate such results and enhance the quality and safety of the care provided in this field.

Abstract Background The severity of nail disease, the presence of arthralgia and fatigue are predictors of development of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in patients with psoriasis (Pso). In children, little is known about the musculoskeletal (MSK) impairment in patients with Pso and its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objectives To determine the frequencies of pain and MSK inflammation (i.e., arthritis, enthesitis, and sacroiliitis) among children and adolescents with Pso and its relationship to HRQoL and fatigue. Methods Pediatric patients with Pso underwent a rheumatologic physical examination to evaluate synovitis, enthesalgia, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain and tender points of fibromyalgia. The core set of domains recommended by the GRAPPA - OMERACT to be measured in PsA studies was assessed. Ultrasound (US) was performed in clinical cases of enthesitis, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in cases of SIJ pain. Results Forty-three participants (10 ± 2.9 years old) were evaluated. Pain on palpation of the entheses was observed in 10 (23.2%) patients and pain on SIJ palpation was observed in 3 (7%). No patient presented with synovitis; one presented with enthesitis on US, but MRI did not confirm sacroiliitis in any case. Patients with MSK pain had greater skin disease severity (PASI 5.4 vs. 2, p

Merkel Cell Carcinoma is a rare type of aggressive and often fatal neuroendocrine tumor of the skin. We report a clinical case of a 56-year-old female with a Merkel cell carcinoma on the left hand, without distant metastasis, treated with surgical excision of the lesion and radiotherapy. Based on this clinical case a research and review of the literature on this rare neoplasia was carried out.

Introduction Time-critical neonatal trials in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) raise several ethical issues. Using a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods design, we explored informed consent process in Hypothermia for encephalopathy in low and middle-income countries (HELIX) trial conducted in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.Methods Term infants with neonatal encephalopathy, aged less than 6 hours, were randomly allocated to cooling therapy or usual care, following informed parental consent. The consenting process was audio-video (A-V) recorded in all cases. We analysed A-V records of the consent process using a 5-point Likert scale on three parameters—empathy, information and autonomy. In addition, we used exploratory observation method to capture relevant aspects of consent process and discussions between parents and professionals. Finally, we conducted in-depth interviews with a subgroup of 20 parents and 15 healthcare professionals. A thematic analysis was performed on the observations of A-V records and on the interview transcripts.Results A total of 294 A-V records of the HELIX trial were analysed. Median (IQR) score for empathy, information and autonomy was 5 (0), 5 (1) and 5 (1), respectively. However, thematic analysis suggested that the consenting was a ceremonial process; and parental decision to participate was based on unreserved trust in the treating doctors, therapeutic misconception and access to an expensive treatment free of cost. Most parents did not understand the concept of a clinical trial nor the nature of the intervention. Professionals showed a strong bias towards cooling therapy and reported time constraints and explaining to multiple family members as key challenges.Conclusion Despite rigorous research governance and consent process, parental decisions were heavily influenced by situational incapacity and a trust in doctors to make the right decision on their behalf. Further research is required to identify culturally and context-appropriate strategies for informed trial participation.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the hygiene practices and frequency of use of personal hygiene products, cosmetics, and sunscreen among children and adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional study with interviews about skincare conducted with caregivers through closed-ended questions. We included patients up to 14 years of age waiting for consultation in pediatric outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital. We performed a descriptive statistical analysis and applied the Kruskal-Wallis test and Fisher’s exact test to compare the practices according to maternal schooling. Results: We conducted 276 interviews. The median age of the participants was age four, and 150 (54.3%) were males. A total of 143 (51.8%) participants bathed once a day and 128 (46.3%) bathed two or more times a day, lasting up to ten minutes in 132 (47.8%) cases. Adult soap was used by 103 (37.3%) children and bar soap by 220 (79.7%). Fifty-three (19.2%) participants used sunscreen daily. Perfume was used by 182 (65.9%) children, hair gel by 98 (35.5%), nail polish by 62 (22.4%), and some type of make-up by 71 (25.7%) - eyeshadow by 30 (10.8%), lipstick by 52 (18.8%), face powder and mascara by 13 (4.7%). Make-up use started at a median age of 4 years. Henna tattoo was done in eight children. Conclusions: The children studied used unsuitable products for their skin, such as those intended for adults, used sunscreen inadequately, and started wearing make-up early, evidencing the need for medical orientation.

Abstract: Background: The greatest sun exposure occurs until adolescence and this is the only factor involved in photocarcinogenesis subject to modification with photoprotection. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the habits and knowledge of adolescents regarding photoprotection. Method: Cross-sectional study that included 512 students from primary and high school. Data were collected by questionnaires with questions about habits and knowledge on sun protection. For data analysis, Pearson's Chi-square test and Yates test were applied, with 5% level of significance. Results: We evaluated 512 students, with a mean age of 14 years old. The teenagers agreed that ultraviolet rays cause skin cancer and aging (96% and 70%, respectively). Knowledge about the occurrence of burns even on cloudy days was recorded in 68% of cases, as well as the need for photoprotection for sports in 72%. The source of information about sun protection were by parents in 55%. In 70% was observed previous occurrence of sunburn, the daily use of sunscreens was found in 15% and 67% used only at the beach. of sunscreens with SPF higher than 30 was reported by 70% of students and 57% reported going to the beach between 10h and 16h. In 68% of cases it was registered insufficient sun protection, attributed, in 57% of the time to forgetfulness. Study limitations: The sample refers to two schools of Curitiba (PR), Brazil. Conclusion: Teenagers know the risks of sun exposure, but they do not adopt the practices for adequate protection.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of FNA and analyse its efficacy in enabling the initiation of treatment in musculoskeletal tumours. Methods: A total of 130 FNA were performed (94 bone and 36 soft tissue lesions) guided by CT scan (n = 64), ultrasonography (n = 36) and radioscopy (n = 30). Diagnostic yield and accuracy were evaluated. A diagnosis was considered accurate when confirmed by histology or ulterior clinical/imaging evaluation. Exclusion of malignancy or infection was considered as diagnoses. Results: Ninety diagnoses (69.2%) were obtained: 87 (96.7%) were accurate and 3 were wrong. FNA was non-diagnostic in 40 cases (30.8%) but in 15 (11.5%) it has been possible to conclude if the lesion was malignant (n = 6) or benign (n = 9). This method was completely inconclusive in 25 cases (19.2%). Conclusion: Despite the low diagnostic yield, accuracy was high. FNA allowed the initiation of treatment in all 87 patients with a correct diagnosis and in 9 in which malignancy was excluded. Two of the 6 biopsies with the information of malignancy were soft tissue lesions. Even here, treatment could be done, as the majority of soft tissue sarcoma protocols begin with surgery. This study validates FNA as a method with a high diagnostic accuracy. Keywords: Neoplasms, Bone neoplasms, Soft tissue neoplasms, Diagnosis, Biopsy, Fine-needle

BackgroundDespite the increasing interest in fetal and neonatal heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and its potential use as a tool for early disease stratification, no studies have previously described the normal trends of HRV in healthy babies during the first hours of postnatal life.MethodsWe prospectively recruited 150 healthy babies from the postnatal ward and continuously recorded their electrocardiogram during the first 24 h after birth. Babies were included if born in good condition and stayed with their mother. Babies requiring any medication or treatment were excluded. Five-minute segments of the electrocardiogram (non-overlapping time-windows) with more than 90% consecutive good quality beats were included in the calculation of hourly medians and interquartile ranges to describe HRV trends over the first 24 h. We used multilevel mixed effects regression with auto-regressive covariance structure for all repeated measures analysis and t-tests to compare group differences. Non-normally distributed variables were log-transformed.ResultsNine out of 16 HRV metrics (including heart rate) changed significantly over the 24 h [Heart rate p < 0.01; Standard deviation of the NN intervals p = 0.01; Standard deviation of the Poincaré plot lengthwise p < 0.01; Cardiac sympathetic index (CSI) p < 0.01; Normalized high frequency power p = 0.03; Normalized low frequency power p < 0.01; Total power p < 0.01; HRV index p = 0.01; Parseval index p = 0.03], adjusted for relevant clinical variables. We observed an increase in several HRV metrics during the first 6 h followed by a gradual normalization by approximately 12 h of age. Between 6 and 12 h of age, only heart rate and the normalized low frequency power changed significantly, while between 12 and 18 h no metric, other than heart rate, changed significantly. Analysis with multilevel mixed effects regression analysis (multivariable) revealed that gestational age, reduced fetal movements, cardiotocography and maternal chronic or pregnancy induced illness were significant predictors of several HRV metrics.ConclusionHeart rate variability changes significantly during the first day of life, particularly during the first 6 h. The significant correlations between HRV and clinical risk variables support the hypothesis that HRV is a good indicator of overall wellbeing of a baby and is sensitive to detect birth-related stress and monitor its resolution over time.

Este trabalho objetivou analisar as contribuições do Grupo de Trabalho Interministerial (GT) do Turismo Ferroviário proposto pelo Ministério do Turismo do Brasil e oficializado pela Portaria nº 18/2010. Como cenário do estudo descreveu-se a estrutura de gestão do patrimônio ferroviário brasileiro e a proposta do GT. A seguir buscou-se identificar as contribuições relacionados às ações deste grupo, e, por fim, identificou-se as problemáticas de um modelo de administração pública calcado em um paradigma burocrático, bem como a fragilidade da proposta do GT como elemento de política pública de preservação do patrimônio ferroviário brasileiro.

Design We recruited babies with moderate or severe hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (aged

Este trabalho analisou a prevalência de excesso de peso e obesidade na adolescência e idade adulta em indivíduos pertencentes a coorte de nascimentos de 1982, da cidade de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, segundo características sociais e demográficas. Em 1982, os nascimentos hospitalares que ocorreram na cidade de Pelotas foram identificados e os nascidos vivos (n = 5.914) cuja família residia na zona urbana da cidade têm sido acompanhados. No presente estudo, foram utilizados dados coletados aos 15, 18, 23 e 30 anos. Nas mulheres, a prevalência de excesso de peso aumentou de 23,6% aos 15 anos para 52,4% aos 30 anos, enquanto para a obesidade aumentou de 6,6% para 23,8%. Nos homens, o excesso de peso passou de 22,9% para 62,9%, enquanto para a obesidade o incremento foi de 7,5% para 22,1%. O incremento de excesso de peso e obesidade foi maior entre indivíduos com menor nível socioeconômico em ambos os sexos, o que pode levar ao aumento da desigualdade na ocorrência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis.

A paraqueratose granular é alteração da queratinização, primeiramente descrita em adultos, caracterizada por pápulas e placas hiperqueratósicas nas áreas intertriginosas. Os autores descrevem seis casos de paraqueratose granular em crianças. Um paciente apresentava lesões nas regiões glúteas, dois em ambas as axilas e região cervical (apresentações inéditas na literatura). Três pacientes apresentavam lesões em pregas inguinais. Realizam também revisão da literatura e discutem a possível etiologia dessa rara dermatose.

Background: Pityriasis lichenoides (PL) is a lymphoproliferative disease of unknown origin; its diagnosis is based on clinical characteristics and confirmed by histology. Objectives: To describe clinical and histological features of PL in 29 pediatric patients. Materials and Methods: Retrospective descriptive study of children (patients less than 15 years old) diagnosed with PL between 1986 and 2010 at a Reference Service in Pediatric Dermatology from South Brazil. Results: Twenty-nine PL cases were found by chart review in 24 years. Mean age of diagnosis was 8 years (22 to 178 months) and a mean time of diagnosis was 13.8 months (1 to 120 months). Twenty cases (69%) were male. Seasonal correlation was found with colder months in 62% of cases (p< 0.01). Clinical diagnosis was pityriasis lichenoides chronica (PLC) in 25 cases, and pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta (PLEVA) in four. Itching was the main reported symptom occurring in 13 (45%). Fourteen cases had been histologically evaluated. In six, microscopic findings were consistent with PLC, in four consistent with PLEVA, and four biopsies exhibited mixed characteristics of both forms. Concordance between clinical and histological diagnosis was seen in most cases. Conclusion: PL occurs in children and young adults, more commonly in males, and during cold months. PLC was the more frequent clinicohistologic form, and necrotic lesions characterized PLEVA. Associating clinical and histological findings is important for differentiating between PLC and PLEVA diagnosis.

Este estudo trata sobre PRECEPTORIA, termo este que corresponde às atividades desenvolvidas junto aos alunos pelos enfermeiros assistenciais.Foi analisada em um Hospital Universitário a visão dos enfermeiros sobre as atividades de preceptoria, bem como as dificuldades e facilidades encontradas para executá-las. Constituiu-se alvo deste estudo os enfermeiros responsáveis pelas unidades nas quais se desenvolve o internato de Enfermagem; modalidade de ensino baseada na Integração Docente Assistencial.

Majocchi granuloma (MG) is a rare dermal and subcutaneous fungal infection. We report a rare case of MG on the face of a six-year-old child caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes after long term use of topical corticosteroids and other inadequate topical medications. He was treated with griseofulvin 25 mg/kg/day for 35 days unsuccessfully and successful treatment was obtained with terbinafine.

Este estudo trata sobre PRECEPTORIA, termo este que corresponde às atividades desenvolvidas junto aos alunos pelos enfermeiros assistenciais.Foi analisada em um Hospital Universitário a visão dos enfermeiros sobre as atividades de preceptoria, bem como as dificuldades e facilidades encontradas para executá-las. Constituiu-se alvo deste estudo os enfermeiros responsáveis pelas unidades nas quais se desenvolve o internato de Enfermagem; modalidade de ensino baseada na Integração Docente Assistencial.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the determining factors in hand hygiene management among nurses and identify associated collective health challenges. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Data were collected using a questionnaire that was applied in four internal medicine units of a hospital of reference in Portugal. Results: The sample was composed of 50 nurses aged 26 to 55 years (mean age of 34.88 years); 80% were women, 58% had a Bachelor’s degree, and had 5-30 years of nursing practice (X̄ =11.94;±5.92). The vast majority of nurses (90%) reported complying with the existing recommendations on hand hygiene in pre-established moments. However, none of the nurses were able to identify all the moments for hand hygiene using water and soap or alcohol-based handrub. Conclusion: This study shows that continuous training, adequate materials/structures in the units, and redesigned administration/supervision practices are determining factors to achieve higher levels of adherence to hand hygiene among nurses, as well as increased quality and safety in care delivery, which is a current collective health challenge.