Solid waste management of health services

A case study in the emergence of a public hospital

Abstract

Purpose: To make a diagnosis of the management practices of Solid Waste of Health Services (SWHS) in the emergency department in a public hospital in the Southern Region of Brazil to identify the problems in the management and the most complex types of waste generated, as well as to observe the main difficulties to meet the Brazilian legislation of SWHS. Methodology: The scientific method used is deductive, using the case study for data collection, as well as bibliographic and documentary research using solid waste legislation.  Main results: The precariousness of structures and equipment, the heterogeneity of technical knowledge about SWHS among professionals, even of their own professional category. As, the lack of actions involving awareness, training and the registration of these, are factors that contribute to the incorrect management of SWHS and partial compliance with regulations. More complex waste generated in the emergency department are infectious agents in the presence of organic chemicals and the risk of transmitting diseases and human and environmental contamination. Practical contributions: After the analysis, a set of guidelines was elaborated for hospital managers to comply with their emergency sectors to Brazilian standards of SWHS and adequate management.