Hospital waste: Generation rates in Bogotá, 2012-2015

Abstract

Introduction: The generation of waste by hospital activities in large urban areas requires comprehensive management, which involves knowing its production characteristics. Objective: To establish performance indicators for the management of hospital waste based on generation rates and hospital waste classification in Bogotá D.C. in the period 2012 - 2015. Materials and methods: Qualitative descriptive-prospective study, with cross-sectional design performed based on secondary information obtained from hospitals in Colombia. Results: According to the information analyzed, between 2012 and 2015 2 727 947 tons of hospital waste were generated in Bogotá D.C; 45% of waste corresponded to non-hazardous waste (recyclable and ordinary) and 55% to hazardous waste (infectious, chemical and dangerous administrative waste). Conclusions: The waste generation rates observed exceed by 40% the calculation presented by the Ministry of Environment and other sources reporting a percentage of 10-15% for hazardous waste.

Keywords

• Gestión de residuos
• Residuos sanitarios
• Indicadores