Study on the management of sanitary waste in veterinary clinics from Las Palmas

Abstract

Sanitary waste generated in facilities whose activities are related to human and animal health can pose a high infectious risk to people and the environment when managed improperly. Although these wastes represent a relatively small amount in relation to the total waste generated in a community, the management of these is considered a major problem worldwide. Veterinary clinics should get rid of the waste generated derived from their professional activity and the veterinary medical treatment and care process, by having it to be carefully segregated. Poor segregation involves several risks associated with its management and an increase in treatment costs. The main objective of this study it is to evaluate the degree of knowledge and compliance of the veterinary collective of the province of Las Palmas, as well as to recognize the limiting factors to carry out a correct management. The work was carried out in the period from December 2019 to May 2020 and was aimed at those who were responsible of the veterinary establishments in Las Palmas province. To gather the information, a survey was prepared using Google surveys that was emailed to the 186 veterinary centres that were part of the study. Of the total clinics surveyed we obtained a 33.87% stake. Although a high percentage (96.9%) of veterinarians is aware of the existence of various management companies and that 90.5% have a company contracted to carry out this service, 47.6% refer not to carry out a correct work in terms of the management of health waste in their facilities. The 19% of veterinarians have not applied for registration as a small waste producer before the Department of Environment and 52.4% refer not to have established an intracenter management plan. The 71.4% of veterinarians surveyed do not know the classification of medical waste, making a poor segregation of the different groups of waste. The 93.7% said they have not had inspections about waste management in their establishment. The results of this study shows veterinarians limited knowledge and compliance in Las Palmas province with the obligations indicated on Decree 104/2002 (Decreto 104/2002). Also, the inadequate management of waste by this group puts workers, the community and the environment at-risk and can be prevented through the implementation of training courses and by reinforcing the inspector's work of surveillance and control by public administrations