Junco DRÁ, Suárez PMT, Prieto DVI, Weng AZ

Language: Spanish
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ABSTRACT

Introduction: Solid waste management at healthcare institutions is aimed at ensuring appropriate hygiene and safety for workers, the community and the environment. Programs for the control of risk situations stemming from inadequate management of solid waste at healthcare institutions should indispensably be based on characterization of wastes according to type and estimation of the volumes generated.
Objective: Characterize solid wastes generated at institutions from the three health care levels.
Methods: A descriptive study was conducted at seven institutions from the three health care levels in the province of Havana from January to September 2009. A dedicated questionnaire was applied, whose basic reference tool was the "Hospital waste survey" developed by CEPIS.
Results: The volume of solid wastes varied between the various health care levels and categories considered, with a predominance of the secondary level, where infectious wastes stood out.
Conclusions: Estimation of the volume of solid wastes revealed useful information for their management by the institutions involved, making it possible to foster reuse and recycling actions, estimate the human and material resources required, and program the training activities necessary for the establishment of a safe management system.