Análise do gerenciamento ambiental nos hospitais de Caxias do Sul - RS

Abstract

The activities of the elderly health assistance institutions generate tons of hospital residues daily. The efficiency of the health sector is questioned, concerning the management of hospital residues, as an emergent subject in the environmental problematic. Currently we count on management practices and the support of the current laws that are designed with the intention to diminish the outputs and to give a correct destination to the residues generated in the hospitals. The present search has the objective to analyze the environmental management process in the hospitals of Caxias de Sul, in reference to the effective legal and normative instruments existing in Brazil. For this, were described the management techniques, as well as were verified the problems and the benefits occurring from these management techniques. The methodology used for this research is exploratory with a qualitative character, under the form of multiple cases study; based on the application of half-structuralized in depth interviews with the responsible for environmental management in each hospital. For the analysis and interpretation of data was used a content analysis method. The main results of the research indicate that each hospital uses a Health Service Residue Management Plan (PGRSS), considering the principles that lead to minimize, treat and finally dispose of the health services residues (RSS). The PGRSS is oriented by the guidelines of National Health and Environment Agencies. The problems found in relation to environmental management are about the awareness and commitment of employees and doctors, beyond the proper treatment of the hospitals’ liquid effluents. The benefits encountered refer to the reduction of residues, the use of environmentally correct materials, the reduction of costs, the elimination of wastefulness, the creation of environmental programs; which contribute to the preservation of natural resources, human health and the environment. Five hospitals (71%) of Caxias de Sul possess an updated PGRSS, where is being monitored and implemented the stages of segregation, preservation, collect, storage, transport, treatment and final disposal of RSS, in accordance with the legislation. However, in respect to the effluent hospital liquids, in five hospitals (71%) the situation is not in accordance with the current law. The hospital sector of Caxias do Sul can still contribute to sustainable development, bringing efficient solutions for the exit use of the hospitals’ liquid effluents; not only with the desire to adjust themselves to the current law, or to lower the price of treatment and disposal, but also to adhere to sustainable organizational policies.