Objective:

to understand the meanings and practices of paramedical personnel in relation to the biological accident, in a high complexity hospital of Medellín-Colombia.

Methodology:

From a hermeneutic historical approach, using elements of grounded theory, 21 people who suffered a biological accident were interviewed in a semi-structured script modified during the process. Initially the participants were intentionally selected and then theoretical sampling became the new criteria of participants. The transcription started after obtaining the consent and recording the interviews. The analysis was performed using open, axial and selective coding as well as the coding paradigm proposed by Strauss and Corbin, until some of the categories were saturated.

Results:

«the far risk of getting into an accident» emerged as the main category from the «construction of an invulnerability illusion and illusory optimism». The «naturalization to the Personal Protective Equipment» process generates consequently «becoming a patient».

Conclusion:

The risk of biological accident becomes invisible in the everyday life of health and welfare. It consequently implies the necessity to develop strategies to influence people’s habits and encourage them to think and behave both individually and as a group.