2013, Number 2
Impact of the implementation of a Manual for safe handling of foods in pediatric hospitals
Language: Spanish
References: 12
Page: 235-246
PDF size: 271.03 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Great amounts of foods are elaborated in health institutions that are served most of the times to vulnerable human groups. Food-borne-diseases (FBD) can become an institutional health problem. Adoption of a Manual of Good Practices for Food Manipulation could lead to prevention of FBD in the hospital setting. Material and method. A “Manual for Innocuous Handling of Foods in Hospitals” was implemented in the food elaboration centers of two pediatric hospitals of Havana City (Cuba) that were proposed as units of excellence in health. Educative actions were conducted with seniors, managers and food handlers in general in order to disseminate and incorporate the contents of the Manual. The impact of documental and educative actions was measured from changes in microbiological situation of elaborated foods, contact surfaces and hands of the food handler, and the level of knowledge in Hygiene and Food Handling of the people involved in these practices. Results. A significant improvement was observed in the composition of microbial flora present in elaborated foods, contact surfaces and hands of the handler, and the level of knowledge of people involved in food elaboration was increased, after organizative and educative interventions. In addition, the proportion of food handlers, seniors and managers motivated for the activity they perform augmented. Still, insufficient knowledge persists on the risks inherent to the food handler, good practices for food elaboration, cooking temperature of foods, and identification of chemical risks. Recommendations. It is recommended the implementation, and the assessment of the impact, of the guidelines, dispositions, and indications set forth in the Manual in the remaining hospitals of the Cuban National Health System.REFERENCES
Díaz Lorenzo T, Caballero Torres A, Díaz Fernández JR. Enfermedades transmitidas por los alimentos. En: Temas de Higiene de los Alimentos para la Licenciatura de Nutrición y Dietética (Editor: Caballero Torres A). La Habana: 2008. Registro número 263-303. CENDA Centro Nacional de Derecho de Autor. ISSN 1692-2008.
Caballero Torres A, Díaz Lorenzo T, Cardona Gálvez M. La educación sanitaria en Higiene de los Alimentos. Principios y estrategias. Procedimientos para impartir educación sanitaria. En: Temas de Higiene de los Alimentos para la Licenciatura de Nutrición y Dietética (Editor: Caballero Torres A). La Habana: 2008. Registro número 400-26. CENDA Centro Nacional de Derecho de Autor. ISSN 1692-20087.
Jiménez Acosta S, Terry Berro B, Carrera Vara J, Díaz Lorenzo T, Rodríguez Salvá A, Díaz Fernández JR, Mesa Raidel G. Guia práctica parta el manejo alimentario nutricional de grupos vulnerables en situaciones de emergencia. INHA/UNICEF. Editorial Molino Trey. La Habana: 2007. Registro número 1223-2008. CENDA Centro Nacional de Derecho de Autor.