Health care waste management in health centers in lisbon

Abstract

Hospital waste produced in health care facilities are a risk for those who produce, handle or are exposed to it. About 20% of all hospital wastes are considered dangerous; B and C hepatitis and HIV infection may ensue as the result of exposure. Integrated management of hospital waste in primary health care units includes reduction in production, correct separation, storage and internal transportation to an adequate storage facility, from where a defined circuit for final disposal is followed. We performed a descriptive, cross-sectional study to evaluate the management of hospital waste in all health centers of Lisboa. A questionnaire including questions on production sites and storage and logistic support was performed. We found that many primary care units do not separate Groups I and II hospital waste, making impossible their later recycling. In most home care hospital waste is directly deposited in council waste bins. Only in 31% of situations cutting or sharp waste are stored in adequate recipients. Storage of Groups III and IV is deficient in about half of the health units and conditions of ventilation and cleaning are sometimes inadequate. Training of professionals involved in management of hospital waste exists in only 50% of cases, resulting in inefficiency. 75% of the units do not control the weight of the waste produced. Most units have updated and properly filed records. Plans for internal management of hospital waste must be prepared, taking into account the size of primary care units and quantities produced, with regular auditing of procedures.