GERENCIAMENTO DE RESÍDUOS DE SERVIÇOS DE SAÚDE E O CONHECIMENTO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE EM UM HOSPITAL DE ENSINO

Abstract

Medical waste contains agents considered to be contaminants in its composition. Thus, its management is necessary to avoid damage to the environment and consequent diseases and injuries. Objective: To analyze the knowledge of healthcare professionals about the management of healthcare waste in a teaching hospital. Methodological path: Descriptive study with a qualitative approach with content analysis. Health professionals from a teaching hospital in Campo Grande – MS participated in the study. Data were collected through recorded interviews in January and February 2021. To verify the implementation strategy of the Medical Waste Management Plan in the hospital, two members of the responsible committee answered a semi-structured questionnaire. Health professionals from adult and pediatric intensive care units and from the infectious parasitic disease ward answered a semi-structured script with questions about health service waste: individual knowledge, management, opinions, and suggestions for improvement. Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionaires (IRAMUTEQ) was used as a support tool for data analysis. The content analysis of the textual corpus was obtained by the Descending Hierarchical Classification. Results: The two professionals responsible for implementing the Health Waste Management Plan reported a sequence of strategic actions: situational diagnosis, action plan, practical actions, and monitoring. The analysis of interviews with health professionals (n=40) resulted in seven classes: Class 1 - The importance of waste management (14.5%); Class 2 - Health Waste Management Plan implementation process (13.5%); Class 3 - Disposal locations (13.7%); Class 4 - Maintenance of training (16.7%); Class 5 - Types of treatment and final disposal (14.9%); Class 6 - Waste Classification (13.1%); Class 7 - Definition of healthcare waste (13.5%). The diagnosis and preparation of the action plan were identified as important actions for the successful implementation of the Medical Waste Management Plan in the hospital. The knowledge of professionals about the medical waste is fragile because, despite reporting that they know some aspects, they demand more training. Commitment from managers is necessary, as well as continuing education on the topic.

Keywords: Medical Waste. Waste management. Occupational Risks. Environmental Hazards. Health Personnel. Inservice Training.