Gerenciamento dos resíduos dos serviços de saúde: percepção dos profissionais que atuam no Hospital Universitário Alcides Carneiro.

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, healthcare waste (RSS) is all waste produced by healthcare establishments. Due to their infectious potential, this waste requires different management processes, from prior treatment to final disposal. The management of RSS (GRSS) aims to reduce their generation, providing safe and efficient management and disposal, aiming to protect the professionals who manage them, and the preservation of public health and the environment. fundamental importance of it, as inadequate management, in addition to posing a threat to health professionals and the environment, poses risks to waste handlers, caregivers and the community. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the perception of health professionals and general services regarding RSS management at the Alcides Carneiro university hospital (HUAC) in Campina Grande/PB. The research was cross-sectional, with a quantitative approach, developed in a medium-sized hospital, in the city of Campina Grande/PB, with 101 professionals, working at the institution for at least two years, through interviews conducted using a semistructured form. For statistical analysis, the public domain program Epi Info version 7.1.5 (ATLANTA, G.A) was used. In data analysis, percentages were obtained for categorical variables and measures of central tendency (means) and dispersion (standard deviations) for numerical variables. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to analyze the association between qualitative variables (knowledge about RSS management and the occurrence of accidents during GRSS), adopting in all cases a significance level of 5% (α ≤ 5% ) to reject the null hypothesis. Of the 101 health and general services professionals interviewed, only 2.97% were aware of the GRSS plan, 95.05% did not receive information about RSS upon hiring or participated in training on RSS. Despite this, they knew the importance of GRSS (82.18%) and expressed concern about the appropriate management and final disposal of waste. The majority of the sample reported contact with type A, D and E waste (51.48%) and 20.80% claimed to have suffered an accident while handling the waste. Through such analyzes developed, the conclusion is that it is extremely important to invest in improving the collection, transportation and disposal system, as well as waste handling. There is also a crucial value in training, clarification and communication for all sectors involved, within Hospital Alcides Carneiro, in Campina Grande, PB.