DICHOTOMY BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND DOING: THE REALITY OF THE MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL WASTE GENERATED IN UFSCAR TEACHING AND RESEARCH LABORATORIES

Abstract

This study aimed to make a diagnosis on the management of Medical Waste (MW) generated in teaching and research laboratories of the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), Campus São Carlos. It is a descriptive and exploratory research, developed with 168 university professors and technicians responsible for teaching and research laboratories of the Center for Biological Sciences and Health and the Center for Exact Sciences and Technology inserted at UFSCar. The data collection was done through a self-respond questionnaire, adapted from Veiga (2011). The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. The collection began after the approval of the Research Ethics Committee. The results showed that UFSCar laboratories generate MW, especially chemical, biological and perforating residues. Regarding the management of MW, the segregation and conditioning stages were performed adequately; on the other hand, the lack of knowledge of the professionals regarding the storage stages, external collection and final disposal was identified. Also, it is noteworthy that 82.1% of laboratories did not have Medical Waste Management Plan. It is concluded that the management of MW in the teaching and research laboratories of UFSCar is being performed adequately; however, the participants presented gaps in knowledge about the management of MW.