Lineamientos para la gestión integral de residuos peligrosos generados por pacientes diagnosticados con diabetes tipo 1

Resumen

A diabetic patient should be monitoring its blood sugar levels, which requires the permanent use of a glucometer, a blood sample represented in a drop obtained by a puncture and a reactive strip that connected to the glucometer allows to obtain immediately a value of the levels of glucose in the blood. Insulin - dependent patients undergoing this research for treatment have three known options: The first, is the supply of insulin through the syringe for insulin. The second, is the supply of insulin through pens or flex pen, and the third which is the latest is the insulin pump. Whichever way the patient supplies insulin, it represents the generation of a series of hazardous waste that must be handled and arranged separately in a controlled manner. Unfortunately, our country's regulations currently do not contemplate the procedures that patients should follow for the proper disposal of these residues in their homes, taking into account that the treatment is performed at the patient's house instead of health institutions. The present study took a sample of 76 insulin- dependent patients (diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus) whose underwent a survey that quantified the amounts and type of hospital waste generated in self-care activities, as well as storage habits and final disposal. Finally, the guidelines to be followed by patients for the storage and final disposal of hospital waste generated in the treatment with insulin are presented and the strategy that would allow patients to be included in the management programs of these residues of their EPS