O gerenciamento de resíduos de serviços de saúde no centro de pesquisas do Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) - Rio de Janeiro/RJ

Abstract

The growth of the Brazilian population amplifies the demand for goods and services and increases the generation of waste and environmental impacts of Healthcare Waste (HCW), which represent potential risks to human health and the environment. To minimize them, rules and legislation were created to guide proper management and final disposal, such as Resolution RDC No. 222 of 2018 of the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA). Thus, oncology research and teaching laboratories, as well as other HCW generators, must adapt to legislation. The present research, with an exploratory and qualitative approach, aims to evaluate how the management of HCW is conducted at Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA) Research Center (CPQ) and to propose recommendations for its improvement. Among the problems identified, there is the absence of educational labels; inadequate or damaged waste collectors; poor segregation of wood shavings from the animal husbandry sector; lack of hand hygiene by the cleaning staff; and reuse of used garbage bags. External storage is critical due to the lack of shelter for group D waste (like household waste). The capacity of the set of equipment for containment of spills groups A (biological), B (chemicals), and E (sharps) is insufficient, as well as there is inadequacy, or absence, of personal protective equipment for the employees of external collection of all waste groups. The personnel responsible for laboratory residues possess a high level of education, although it is not reflected in their practices to achieve safe management. The results point to the need for better professional training and prioritization of actions for the proper management of waste since inadequacies were found in all its stages. It is expected that this study will contribute to the update INCA’s CPQ HCW Management Plan and its implementation, to promote the safe management of waste, reducing accidents and environmental damage associated with it.