Gerenciamento dos resíduos de serviços de saúde do município de Ilha Solteira - SP

Abstract

Basic Health Units (BHU) and Family Health Strategy Units (FHSU) are facilities that provide basic care services to the population of a municipality. The management of Waste from Health Services (WHS) generated by these units takes place in interdependent stages whose purpose is to preserve the well-being of the employees, conserve the environment, and provide security to the population. In Brazil, there is extensive legislation that regulates the issue with the generating units. This study aimed to analyze the management of this Waste from Health Services in Basic Health and Family Health Strategy Units in the municipality of Ilha Solteira, between 2011 and 2018, using bibliographic and documentary research, combined with observation and photographic record of the management actions adopted by the municipal administration. They found that the municipality has an Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan that, since 2012, establishes the correct management of waste, as an obligation of health managers and other workers of these institutions. According to the collected data, a gap between the knowledge of health professionals regarding Health Services Waste and the conceptual aspects of this subject can be observed. As a result, the definition of "Health Services Waste" is confused with that of "Infectious Waste", and other terms are used to refer to this type of waste; training and awareness on the co-responsibility for these residues during the processes of generating, handling and final destination of these residues in a correct manner is insufficient. The efficiency in providing these services is a constant concern, but there is a lack of attention to fundamental issues. They concluded that the system needs further improvement. Investments in continued education, training of health professionals and clarification of the population are fundamental for the solution of issues involving the proper management of WHS and the correct implementation of legislation.