Análises físico-químicas e microbiológicas da água utilizada em hospitais do Maranhão

Abstract

Water is essential for life and in hospitals it is possible to observe that it is widely used, both for human consumption, environmental hygiene and food preparation. Many citizens present in hospitals have altered immunity, so it is essential that the water provided in this environment is safe for human consumption, so as not to worsen the patient's clinical condition and ensure the safety of all professionals. The present work was carried out with the objective of evaluating the physical-chemical and microbiological quality of water from hospitals in São Luís and São José de Ribamar – MA. Five collection points were chosen in each establishment, and the indicators of chlorine, pH, turbidity, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, hardness, calcium, magnesium and alkalinity were analyzed. The colilert® test was also carried out to search for coliforms at 35°C and Escherichia coli. All values found in the results of the analyzes were compared with the maximum values allowed by Ordinance No. 888, of May 4, 2021 of the Ministry of Health. The results of the microbiological analyzes identified contamination by coliforms at 35ºC in samples from taps 1 and 3 of the hospital I, taps 2, 3 and 4 from hospital II and taps 1, 3 and drinking fountain from hospital III. There were changes in physicochemical standards for total dissolved solids in hospitals I and II, acidic pH in hospital II, increased chloride in hospitals I, II and III, total alkalinity was outside the standards established in hospitals II and III. With the research, it was possible to conclude that there are physicochemical alterations in some hospital samples. Regarding microbiological analyses, 40% of the samples showed coliforms at 35º C. It is very important to carry out periodic analyzes of hospital water to maintain the quality established for the population and, consequently, for public health