solidify everything,"
says Michelle Ruhnke,
RN, administrator of
the The Methodist
Ambula-tory Surgery
Center-Medical Center
in San Antonio, Tex.
For every canister they
solidify, it takes a 4-
ounce bottle of solidifi-
er, which costs $1.15,
says Ms. Ruhnke.
That can add up quickly, not to mention red-bag removal costs.
Then there's the risk of contamination. Canisters of solidified waste
awaiting disposal can leak or smell. There's also the chance of expo-
sure from the chemicals in the solidifying agent itself. Some contain
chlorine and glutaraldehyde, which can be problematic for staff.
Glutaraldehyde can cause throat and lung irritation, nosebleeds, burn-
ing eyes, wheezing, nausea and more.
For these reasons and others, the Methodist ASC-MC is consider-
ing abandoning solidifying fluid waste and switching to a large-
capacity suction unit, says Ms. Ruhnke.
One tip for your staff: Put the solidifier in before the procedure. Of
course, they'll have to estimate how much fluid the procedure will
produce and add the appropriate amount of agent. But at least they
won't run the risk of coming in contact with any biohazardous fluids.
Direct-to-drain systems
Take your waste disposal system up a notch by emptying canisters
into a direct-to-drain system. Just put the closed canister in and
F E B R U A R U Y 2 0 1 8 • O U T PA T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 9
• CANISTERS Solidifying fluid waste can be costly when you consider the price
of solidifier and red-bag disposal.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
