Quantitative management of hospital wastes
a case study from the city of Juiz de Fora/MG
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24302/sma.v8i0.1765Abstract
The growing generation of Health-Care Waste (HCW) over the years has becoming a main challenge for both public and private managers in terms of sustainability. In addition to the complexity inherent to this theme, the lack of information / qualification is still quite frequent. Due to the potential risks, HCW management is mandatory and necessary in generating establishments. In this scenario, the Health-Care Waste Management Plan (HCWMP) appears as an essential tool for a sustainable management, aiming at the correct handling, destination and proper disposal of such wastes. The present case study aims to present a quantitative analysis of the wastes in a large hospital in the city of Juiz de Fora, MG, related to the years of 2015 and 2016, considering gravimetric and financial studies involved in such generation. As a result, there was a monthly generation of about 52 tons of waste in the establishment, belonging to the groups A, B, D and E/ totalling 3.30 kg/bed/day. It was verified that the commercialization of recyclable wastes generate an income of R$ 43.500,00, with potential of increase that value, with the improvement of the source segregation. Finally, it must be noted that the implementation and operationalization of the HCWMP, with action and awareness of the stakeholders, contributes to improvements in the management, destination and proper final disposal of HCW, culminating in social, environmental and economic gains.
Keywords: Waste management. Healthcare services waste. Municipal hospitals. Quantitative analyses. Hospital planning.