Diretrizes estratégicas para implantação de um programa de sustentabilidade em hospitais universitários federais do Brasil

Abstract

Hospitals are institutions that promote the cure of diseases. However, they also contribute to the increase in environmental health problems, due to the high consumption of natural resources, energy, water, food, among others, with a large generation of waste and emission of greenhouse gases, accelerating the process of climate change. Environmental problems affect the lives of living beings, and it is the cause of innumerous diseases. Therefore, the discussion about a healthy and sustainable hospital becomes relevant in an ecosystem and public and occupational health perspectives. To mitigate the problems generated by their activities, hospitals seek safer alternatives with less environmental impact. This dissertation structures a strategic model for the implementation of a sustainability program in Brazilian Federal University Hospitals (HUFs), in the context of Green and Healthy Hospitals. It is based on the theoretical development of pillars of sustainability in the environmental, social, economic, spatial, and cultural aspects and supports an interdisciplinary vision. The strategic model has four dimensions: “Existing Base”; “Act on Key Factors”; “Generate Commitment” and “Generate Change”. The methodology, with qualitative and quantitative issues, stand out to build and validate the model with experts (three interviews), who work in institutions that promote environmental sustainability in health and reference hospitals, and 21 Managers of Hospitals of Brazilian Hospital Services Company (Ebserh) of the Ministry of Education (MEC), who answered a questionnaire. The methodological tools, prepared with open and closed questions, was disposed in an online platform. The total number of respondents represents 52.5% of the sample. It is concluded that the proposed strategic model was validated by the research participants. They consider that the applicability of the model in Brazilian Federal University Hospitals in the context of Green and Healthy Hospitals is viable.