The downside is risk of contamination and slips and falls.
Transporting and emptying canisters that are packed with fluid can
expose workers to infectious waste through splash back and
aerosolization. Every time a staff member pours fluid from an open
canister into the drain, they can be exposed to airborne contaminants
and possible splash back — especially if the waste disposal handler
isn't wearing a face shield, gloves and glasses (these should be worn
at all times when dealing with waste). And if any fluid spills on the
floor, it now becomes a slip-and-fall risk.
One way to keep your staff members safe: Have them transport the
canisters on a washable cart rather than by hand. Staff will be able to
keep canisters upright, reducing the risk of a spill. You might also des-
ignate a sink just for waste disposal — preferably away from a gener-
al-use sink where employees wash their hands or clean supplies.
Solidify and red bag
Want to cut back on the risk of contamination even more? Solidifying
suction canisters' contents is a way to do just that. When you add a
solidifying agent to the canister, the fluid turns into a gel-like sub-
stance. Then canisters get discarded with red bag waste. The canister
doesn't get moved when it's in liquid form, so the risk of splash back
is minimal.
In terms of cost, there are a few things to consider. The cost of
canisters, solidifying agents and red-bag disposal can be expensive.
However, some solidifying agents contain antimicrobial agents that
sanitize the waste, which make the canisters acceptable for clear-
bag disposal, cutting back on costs.
The costs to be environmentally friendly can be considerable. For
example, if municipal laws prevent you from pouring bodily fluids
down the hopper, you'll have to solidify your fluid waste. "We have to
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