8 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • F E B R U A R U Y 2 0 1 8
Ridgeview Medical
Center in
Waconia, Minn.,
last month
switched from
one dock-to-drain
suction unit to
another. The key
difference? The
new unit treats
the infectious
waste with bleach
in addition to an
enzyme to break down the blood and body fluids it collects
before it empties them down the drain. Ridgeview is also switch-
ing to reusable suction canisters.
"It's another initiative we are taking to protect our employees
from [infectious waste] exposures while considering the environ-
ment and maintaining our green status," says Pamela Hofmann,
MSN, RN, CNOR, nurse manager of surgical services.
Ms. Hofmann figures dock-to-drain suction eliminates more
than 4,000 pounds of medical waste and saves $1,200 per year in
red-bag disposal costs.
DOCK-TO-DRAIN
Going Green With Fluid Waste
• GOOD MATCH A dock-to-drain suction unit is the ideal choice for fluid-heavy
orthopedic cases.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN,
CNOR
the system empties it directly into a sanitary sewer system, saving
time in patient and room turnover. The system takes care of emp-
tying and cleaning the canister in a closed system.
