Page 24
IDEAS
That Work
SHARPS SAFETY
Prepare IV Bags for Safe Disposal
Safely dispose of IV bags by
removing the IV and cutting
the top off the bag to drain
excess fluid, leaving the spike safely in the chamber. Then discard the entire unit in unregulated trash without fear of punctured garbage bags. This protects staff from sharps injuries during runs to the dumpster.
Erik Flexman, MHPA, FACHE, CASC
Forest Canyon Endoscopy
& Surgery Center
Flagstaff, Ariz.
erik@forestcanyon.org
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IN THE BAG Kate Fulcher, CNA, cuts an IV bag before tossing it in the trash with the spike still securely in place.
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