IMPACTOS DA PANDEMIA DE COVID-19 NA GERAÇÃO DE RESÍDUOS DE SERVIÇOS DE SAÚDE EM HOSPITAIS PÚBLICOS DE GRANDE PORTE DA REGIÃO METROPOLITANA DO RECIFE IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE GENERATION OF HEALTHCARE WASTE IN LARGE PUBLIC HOSPITALS METROPOLITAN REGION OF RECIFE

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 crisis, which began in December 2019, has brought about major changes in society and a significant increase in the amount of Health Service Waste (HSW). Brazil has faced monumental challenges, as the Pandemic has intensified waste generation due to the extensive use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disposable materials. This study examined HSW generation in five large public hospitals in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, from January 2019 to October 2023. The methodology included the collection and analysis of data from hospital records, taking into account the peak periods of the Pandemic. The results indicate a 35.5% increase in HSW generation in 2020, followed by a 26.24% increase in 2021, and subsequently a progressive decrease in 2022 and 2023. The analysis suggests that the Pandemic has caused lasting changes in hospital waste management practices. These findings highlight the need for continued oversight and improvement of waste management strategies to ensure environmental sustainability and the protection of healthcare professionals and the community.

Keywords: RSS Generation; Metropolitan Region of Recife; COVID-19; Hospital Waste Management.