Caracterização dos resíduos sólidos de serviços de saúde do Hospital Escola Hélvio Auto em Maceió AL, visando a elaboração e implantação do plano de gerenciamento de resíduos

Abstract

The environmental impacts related to inadequate management of solid wastes have been widely discussed by society. Healthcare wastes (HCW) is part of this equation thus deserves special attention. The qualitative and quantitative characterization of this waste is fundamental to the development and implementation of a Waste Management Plan of Health Services (WMPHS), identifying the percentage of special and common wastes. This study aimed to characterize the waste generated in the University Hospital Hélvio Auto and propose measures to prevent, minimize, reuse and recycle in order to avoid environmental and human contamination. The method adopte for waste characterization was based on the guidelines of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO, 1997) and Souza (2005). The period of characterization was from May/2009 to May/2010, for better assessment of seasonal variation. The results indicated that most of the waste generated in the study area is the common type (85.3%) and recycling potential. The infectious waste, sharps and chemicals accounted for 5.5, 7.0 and 2.2% respectively of total waste generated in the hospital. Such a waste, if mishandled, can compromise all mass of waste, preventing the reuse and recycling. The average production of RSS was 0,5 kg / patient.day. Data from qualitative and quantitative characterization of the waste subsides the elaboration of WMPHS in the study area, required by law, the RDC N° 306/2004 ANVISA (National Agency for Sanitary Vigilance), Ministry of Health. As a waste measurement of maximization of reusable wastes, is proposed a proper segregation, at the very source of the material, in order to enable the reuse and recycling. For the effective management of waste, at the hospital, or at any other institution providing health services, it is necessary to stimulate a permanent awareness programs, from the button to top of its hierarchical levels.