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W A S T E
M A N A G E M E N T
Of the 85% who still use their recalled Neptunes — and comply with
the manufacturer's new rules — only a handful are considering a
move to another fluid management option. Most of those who've
switched have adopted other Neptune models. "We've acquired
Neptune systems not affected by the recall," says Amy Hartman, RN,
BSN, clinical manager at the Surgi-Center of Winchester in Virginia.
Writes another manager, "[Our hospital] is storing our Neptunes offsite, and they provided us with an older version."
After all, they reason, the other (simpler) options aren't without risks
and complications of their own. Carrying full suction canisters out of
the OR and manually splashing them down the drain presents
ergonomic and infection risks, unless staffers are taking time to don
personal protective gear each time. "If possible, avoid having to dump
full canisters," says Ms. Hartman. On the other hand, while pouring
chemical solidifying agents into full canisters limits staff exposure to
the fluids inside, the weight of the resulting refuse can drive up your
by-the-pound red-bag waste costs.
These options may be suitable when schedules are full of low-fluid
cases, but nothing replaces the efficiency of a large-capacity, closeddrainage system when arthroscopies threaten to flood your OR. "I feel the
closed drainage and disposal system is the best for employee safety," says
Sara McCallum, RN, MBA, LHRM, the CEO of Bonita Community Health
Center in Bonita Springs, Fla.
Keep in mind, though, that clean and contact-free fluid management
options, whether they're portable units or stationary room suction
systems, may also include disposable components and are likely to
require an investment in plumbing renovations to provide a direct-todrain route for collected runoff.
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | N O V E M B E R 2013
