[Criteria for definition of environmental contamination indicators related to solid waste from health care facilities: a proposal for evaluation].
The objective of this study was to identify target microorganisms as indicators of environmental contamination. The study evaluates the main environmental aspects and epidemiological chain related to such agents. Microorganisms were selected through key information about microbiological characterization of health care facilities' solid waste and evaluation of risk of infection from discarded sharps. The form of evaluation proposed for criteria adopted in the selection of contamination indicators included prior submission of a structured questionnaire to a network of specialists from the Federal District of Brazil. The specialists' multidisciplinary background, including professionals from the health field and an environmental microbiologist, helped define environmental contamination indicators by consensus. Pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and hepatitis A and B viruses were specifically identified as capable of environmental survival or resistance.
Silva
Aída Cristina do Nascimento
AC
Centro Nacional de Epidemiologia, Coordenação Geral de Vigilância Ambiental em Saúde, Fundação Nacional de Saúde, Ministério da Saúde, Brasília, DF, 70058-902, Brasil. aida.silva@funasa.gov.br
Bernardes
Ricardo Silveira
RS
Moraes
Luiz Roberto Santos
LR
Reis
Joana D'Arc Parente dos
JD
D004782:Environmental Health; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008506:Medical Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D012037:Refuse Disposal
D008506:Medical Waste; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal