Gestão dos resíduos de serviços de saúde de um hospital universitário do alto sertão paraibano.

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges of modern society is to solve the excessive generation and the environmentally adequate disposal of solid waste. In this context, Health Care Waste (HCW) deserve greater attention due to their physical, chemical and biological characteristics, and can be a cluster of microorganisms. Improper waste management exposes patients, healthcare workers, waste handlers, the wider community and the environment as a whole to significant risks. Thus, the objective of the research was to analyze the management of HCW at the university hospital of Cajazeiras-PB, aiming to build a set of monitoring indicators. The research was exploratory, descriptive, with a quantitative approach, developed with managers responsible for managing the HCW and care professionals who generate solid waste in the institution (nurses and physiotherapists). The methodology used for data collection was systematic observation, interviews with semi-structured questionnaires and consultation of institutional documents. The analysis was performed through data triangulation. The data obtained through systematic observation were arranged in figures, and those from the semistructured questionnaires and proposed indicators were grouped into graphs and tables in Microsoft Excel software and later analyzed according to current legislation. As a result, it was observed that the institution still does not fully follow the recommendations of RDC ANVISA n° 222/2018 and CONAMA Resolution n° 358/2005 about management of HCW, presenting failures due to lack of update of the Management Plan of HCW; gaps in most phases of waste management: segregation, identification, internal collection and transport, internal, temporary and external storage, and external collection and transport; in addition to the weakness in the knowledge of professionals and managers about the theme of HCW. Thus, it was concluded that there is a need to implement a continuing education program for managers and health professionals about integrated management of HCW and the awareness of managers and employees of the institution about the awareness of environmental responsibility, combined with greater investments in the area of waste management, with the help of new technologies and implementation of a well-defined program, linked to environmental practices, in accordance with current legislation, monitored by indicators and frequently inspected, so that there is a continuous improvement of integrated waste management with a focus in environmental preservation.