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WASTE
M A N A G E M E N T
David Bernard
Senior Associate Editor
CAPACITY COUNTS The ability to suction several cases' worth of fluid without
stopping is an efficiency booster.
Evaluating Your
Fluid Management Options
How are you collecting fluid waste in the wake
of the Stryker Neptune recall?
The Gadsden (Ala.) Surgery Center was among the many
super-satisfied Stryker Neptune customers who were
forced to at least consider abandoning their waste management system and transitioning to another method of
collecting and disposing of fluid waste. In 2012, the FDA
recalled the popular Stryker Neptune after patient injuries and at least
2 deaths were reported when nurses mistakenly applied high-flow,
high-suction vacuums to passive chest drains. The 2-part recall was
confusing and injuries associated with the use of the Neptune were
the result of bizarre user error, but when the dust had settled,
Neptune owners could either switch to another fluid waste management machine or jump through some administrative hoops if they
