Gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos de serviço de saúde : estudo de caso do município de Santa Cruz do Sul/RS - Brasil.

Abstract

This research approaches the management of health services waste in the regional reference hospitals in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul. The object of this research is to analyze the management of health services waste (HSW), in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul according to the valid specific laws. The option for a distinguished model to manage HSW it’s a procedure for safeguard occupational health, decrease biological risks from the wastes, prevent hospital infections, lower environmental impacts, and thus, promote regional development from an environmentally responsible basis. Was conducted a case study, anchored on qualitative research on the municipality of Santa Cruz do Sul, the core municipality from the 13th Regional Health Department in high complexity procedures. The actors involved in this research was the managers responsible by the environment area and the HSW management, employees involved directly or indirectly with production and HSW management from different sectors of the hospitals and also, technicians of municipal organs responsible for monitoring the management of HSW in the hospitals. Based on these data it could be observed that the management of HSW, today, is in a failed and mistaken situation, mainly in structural and technical terms. Were identified inappropriate procedures, in handling, in uses of personal protection devices and in the temporary packaging of HSW, also were identified, the absence of standardization of procedures and continuous qualification. It’s evident the hospitals’ difficulty to attend the laws and technical procedures recommended in the RCD ANVISA number 306/2004 and in the CONAM resolution number 358/2005 about several stages of HSW management. Simple procedures but important for safety and for the right handling of HSW are not accomplished in several management stages of HSW.