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canister without
removing the lid. The
canister, if disposable,
is either thrown out
with red bag waste or
cleaned with enzymat-
ic solution and
thrown in regular
solid waste. Reusable
ones are another
option and can reduce
waste, but come at a
higher cost.
In a closed suction
system, there are no
canisters. Instead, a
portable unit that has
the capacity of several
canisters is used to
store fluid from proce-
dures. After the unit is
full, it can be taken to a drain system that will release the fluid waste
into the sewer system. There are also stationary, wall units that suction
the fluid directly from the patient to the drain.
While the safest option for staff, they aren't cheap. The average cost
for these systems is around $25,000, and many times there are addi-
tional costs to renovate the plumbing to connect the system up to the
sewer, which usually is added on top of the capital cost for the
machine. Plus, the systems also come with a per-case cost that can be
between $15 and $20 for disposable manifolds or filters.
W A S T E D I S P O S A L
Mary
C.
Wilson
BSN,
RN,
CNOR
FLUID DISPOSAL The staff
at West Virginia University
Hospitals currently use
solidifiers for fluid waste
disposal, but the facility is
considering making a move
to automated systems.
