Waste management costs in a surgical center

• Grant number: 13/17036-8
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2013 - November 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing
• Principal researcher: Valeria Castilho
• Grantee: Valeria Castilho
• Home Institution: Escola de Enfermagem (EE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Danielly Negrão Guassú Nogueira

Abstract

Waste Health Services-RSS that are generated in any health care setting. They are classified into groups A-Infectious, B-chemical, C-radioactive, D- common and E-pierce common cutaway. The RSS management comprises the steps of classification, segregation at source, packaging, identification, internal transport, storage, treatment, external storage, external transport and disposal. Thus, management is a complex and costly financially, which involves several interconnected activities that require planning, resources and strategies to be implemented because their implementation depends on the physical structure, working conditions, the training of human resources and behavior disposal of all health professionals. The surgical site is a complex diversity of procedures and materials and in Brazil it is common to consider all waste generated in the operating rooms as infectious. However, there are studies that show a high content of paper and plastic that a proper segregation and prevents infectious waste, usually small fractions, all of the contaminating residues, increasing the cost of management. The correct segregation minimizes the environmental risks and meets the global sustainable practices. Most institutions are unaware of the costs of the management of RSS, and do not incorporate these costs in the price formation procedures, cost management strategies that seek efficiency throughout the process is strongly recommended. This study aims to measure the cost of the process of internal management of Waste Services Health Surgical Center-DC in a university hospital. Method: This is an exploratory, descriptive and quantitative approach in the form of case studies and will be held at the Surgical Center of the University Hospital São Paulo. The object of study are the processes and activities that comprise the management of the RSS and the sample will be a convenience. Group C radioactive waste was excluded for not generating sector. Data collection will be conducted in two stages, starting with the situational analysis, mapping and validation of processes for waste management, using the non-participant observation, key informant interviews with the technique "Snowball" and workshops. This phase will be assessed the costs of each process, which are independent of the type of surgery. In the second step will be quantified by the RSS which groups are weighed daily during all surgical procedures for two months. The quantitative characterization of the RSS is to determine the generation rate in kg / No. of surgery, volume variation by type of surgery and the percentage variation of waste recycled. The waste control group B chemist will be done by the release of the product formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and Ortaldeído the pharmacy industry for DC and consumption of fasteners and revealing RX will have a tracking sheet for the official sector besides weighing the collector specific. Descriptive statistical analysis will be used. The total cost will be obtained by the sum of events during the collection period and statistically extrapolated for the whole year. The project is already approved in committees Ethical School of Nursing and the University Hospital of São Paulo University. (AU)