Switching to a closed system eliminated all those concerns, saves
time and increases staff satisfaction, says Pamela Borello-Barnett,
RN, CNOR, CSSM, Ascension's clinical nurse manager.
If you're still using an open system, Ms. Borello-Barnett suggests
assessing your facility's needs before deciding on which type of closed
system to purchase. Wall-mounted systems let staff place fluid-filled
canisters into an automatic flushing system. Mobile collection units
have the capacity to collect large volumes of runoff directly from the
surgical site or from floor-based wicking devices. When filled, staff
simply roll the unit to a fixed docking station, where the contents are
automatically emptied directly into the sewer system.
Orthopedic and GYN procedures that generate large amounts of
fluid are ideal for a closed system, but don't ignore the potential bene-
fits the systems provide in endoscopy suites. Ascension added one of
the closed mobile units to the mix.
"It really has streamlined fluid collection," says Ms. Borello-Barnett.
"It's eliminated the time-consuming process of removing disposable
canisters from the OR and dumping waste into the hopper several
times a day. The [high-capacity] mobile unit lasts all day, and makes
overall operations much more efficient."
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