Esta pesquisa objetivou quantificar e qualificar o uso indevido de materiais de consumo em uma Unidade deTerapia Intensiva Neonatal de um hospital universitário da cidade de Curitiba/PR. Foi realizada observação não participantena unidade no período de 17 de março a 2 de abril de 2009, em todos os turnos de trabalho, totalizando 100 horas. Osresultados revelaram o emprego indevido de materiais de consumo; uso de materiais de baixa qualidade; uso irracional; eimprovisos, além de falhas no manuseio por profissionais. A pesquisa mostrou o volume e o valor de gastos impróprios naunidade, com alguns destaques para cateteres venosos periféricos, gazes, sondas nasogástricas, ampolas de glicose,cabos de oxímetros, entre outros. Sugere-se que a unidade melhore a gestão, por meio de auditoria de materiais e custoshospitalares, com olhar crítico e consciente sobre racionalização de uso de materiais.

Objective: to identify the factors related to the quality of umbilical cord and placental blood specimens, and define best practices for their collection in a government bank of umbilical cord and placental blood. Method: this was a descriptive study, quantitative approach, performed at a government umbilical cord and placental blood bank, in two steps: 1) verification of the obstetric, neonatal and operational factors, using a specific tool for gathering data as non-participant observers; 2) definition of best practices by grouping non-conformities observed before, during and after blood collection. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the following statistical software: Statistica(r) and R(r). Results: while there was a correlation with obstetrical and neonatal factors, there was a larger correlation with operational factors, resulting in the need to adjust the professional practices of the nursing staff and obstetrical team involved in collecting this type of blood. Based on these non-conformities we defined best practices for nurses before, during and after blood collection. Conclusion: the best practices defined in this study are an important management tool for the work of nurses in obtaining blood specimens of high cell quality.