A qualitative descriptive case study on home medical waste management in Brazil

This work presents a survey on the management of the home medical care waste (HMCW) from the municipality of Caruaru, an important medical and economic center in the Brazilian Agreste. The cross-sectional study was conducted on 67 stakeholders (health professionals and patients/caregivers), who were interviewed in the work environment (headquarters of the home medical care and/or residence they assisted). The results revealed that more than 55% of the caregivers are of the female gender and more than 30% present a first-degree family bond with the patient. The estimated mean generation of HMCW was of 1.68 kg/patient per month, with segregated collection and proper disposal of sharp materials only (0.8 kg per month ≈ 1%). The remainder of the HMCW is discarded together with the common waste generated in the residence. The lack of standardization in both caregiver guidance and the training of health professionals is a limiting factor for the correct management of HMCW. The municipality should integrate HMCW management to the regular medical waste management to comply with the current legislation, protecting the environment and public health.