Abstract
An inadequate management of hospital waste, that have toxic, infectious and chemical wastes, is a risk factor for humans and environment. To identify, quantify and assess the risk associated to the management of hospital residues. A cross sectional assessment of the generation of hazardous waste from a hospital, between June and August 2005, was performed. The environmental risk associated to the management of non-radioactive hospital waste was assessed and the main problems related to solid waste were identified. The rate of generation of hazardous non-radioactive waste was 1.35 tons per months or 0.7 kg/bed/day. Twenty five percent of hazardous liquid waste were drained directly to the sewage system. The drug preparation unit of the pharmacy had the higher environmental risk associated to the generation of hazardous waste. The internal transport of hazardous waste had a high risk due to the lack of trip planning. The lack of training of personnel dealing with these waste was another risk factor. Considering that an adequate management of hospital waste should minimize risks for patients, the hospital that was evaluated lacks an integral management system for its waste.
Highlights
An inadequate management of hospital waste, that have toxic, infectious and chemical wastes, is a risk factor for humans and environment
assess the risk associated to the management of hospital residues
The environmental risk associated to the management of non-radioactive hospital waste was assessed
Summary
An inadequate management of hospital waste, that have toxic, infectious and chemical wastes, is a risk factor for humans and environment. El presente estudio tiene por finalidad aportar al conocimiento del tipo y cantidad de residuos generados en un centro de alta complejidad, realizar un análisis del manejo de los residuos durante su ciclo comprendido desde su generación hasta su entrega a un destinatario o empresa que lo dispone posteriormente. Se realizó un estudio de tipo corte transversal entre junio y agosto de 2005 en el Instituto, en Santiago de Chile, dentro del marco de una tesis para optar al grado de Magíster en Gestión Ambiental del autor principal de este estudio. Al menos una vez por semana, dispone de personal que, acompañado por personal interno del Instituto, realiza la recolección de los residuos tipo I ubicados en almacenes temporales destinados para tal fin. A pesar de estar clasificados por organis-
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
