Q: Do I increase the risk of infection by using a reusable fluid collector in the OR?
A: No. A fluid collection device is considered a non-critical item like blood pressure cuffs, mayo stands, and kick buckets to name a few. The AORN recommended practice for the proper handling of a reusable collector is to empty, clean, and disinfect the device before reuse. Proper disinfection will render the item safe for reuse.
Q: What is Dornoch’s standard equipment warranty?
A: New Transposal equipment is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one (1) year from the date of installation. Both parts and labor are covered for the one-year period per the conditions below.
Complete warranty details and extended warranty options are available upon request.
Q: What happens if my Transposal equipment breaks down?
A: First, it is important to realize that a Transposal breakdown will never shut an OR down. Equipment is normally repaired the same day or next morning after a service call. In the unlikely event that equipment is not repaired within 24-hours, reusable or disposable canisters can be used, packaged and disposed of as red bag waste. Dornoch will immediately replace these canisters free of charge. (Note: All accounts have a three-day supply of Transposal reusable collectors on hand and other disposable canisters are typically available throughout the house.)
Q: What is an "engineering control" and why is it important for fluid waste disposal?
A: An engineering control provides consistent worker protection by eliminating or minimizing employee judgment and discretion from a particular work practice. OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard stresses the use of engineering controls to minimize the serious health risks faced by workers exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials. For example, the outdated practice of pouring surgical fluids into open hopper sinks requires the use of proper PPE, including full gown, gloves, mask, and eye protection. In practice, employees often forget or neglect to use proper PPE because of a lack of knowledge of proper procedures, availability of PPE, hurriedness, laziness, or cost concerns. The engineered confine and contain liquid disposal method used by the Redaway and Transposal systems improves worker protection by minimizing the risks of discretionary employee PPE usage.
Q: Can Dornoch's systems handle blood clots?
A: Yes. Unlike solidifiers and other fluid handling systems, the Transposal system is specifically designed to handle blood clots. Blood clots are broken up for simple discharge into the sanitary sewer system.
Q: How much red bag waste do Dornoch's systems eliminate?
A: Transposal can eliminate all red bag waste associated with canisters and liners used to collect fluids. As anyone who has lifted a red bag knows, it is fluids that make a red bag heavy. In addition, non-compressible canisters and liners, both full and empty, contribute significantly to the volume of red bag waste. Based on our experience to date, most ORs should see a 50 to 70 percent reduction in red bag waste after installing a system. This typically equates to at least a 25 percent reduction in overall facility red bag waste.
Q: Should I be concerned about sending blood down the sanitary sewer?
A: No. The CDC, EPA, and AORN recommend disposing of body fluids by pouring them down the sanitary sewer. A survey we conducted at the 1999 AORN conference revealed that nearly 1/3 of hospitals use this disposal method. In addition, according to Drs. William Rutala and C. Glen Mayhall in their SHEA Position Paper, Medical Waste (1992): "This concern (disposal of body fluids into the sanitary sewer) is unwarranted for several reasons. First, conventional treatment processes of sewage, such as primary sedimentation, secondary (biological) treatment, and effluent disinfection are designed to reduce the microbial content of raw sewage by 90% to 99%, depending on the type of microorganisms and specific treatment process. Second, the microbial load added to the sewer via the usually sterile body fluid -- blood -- is negligible compared with major sources of pathogenic microbes in sewage, which include the bacteria and viruses found in human feces that exceed 1010/g. Third, blood discharged into the sanitary sewer system by hospitals is diluted to a very low concentration by the enormous amounts of effluent from hospitals and residences. Fourth, no bloodborne disease risks from occupational exposure to sewage have been described."
Q: Is the sodium hypochlorite solution used in the disinfection cycle safe for the environment?
A: Yes. Sodium hypocholrite in a 5.25% to 6.0% solution is commonly known as household bleach. This bleach solution is used in 8 of 10 households in the United States. Household bleach is essentially non-toxic if ingested, breaks down rapidly and completely into salt water during use and disposal, and does not produce dioxin.
Q: Has there been any regulatory activity regarding occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens?
A: Yes. On November 5, 1999 OSHA issued a national news release titled "OSHA Revises Bloodborne Pathogens Compliance Directive." The directive stresses the use of new medical advances (e.g. engineering controls such as Dornoch's systems) to minimize the serious health risks faced by workers exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials.
Q: How does Transposal differ from the competition?
A: First, Transposal is the only completely closed system for onsite fluid waste collection and disposal. Competitive products have fluid collection “ports”, canisters, and tubes that leak body fluids when removed from equipment. As a completely closed system, Transposal protects employees while meeting engineering control requirements specified under OSHA’s 1991 Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
Second, Transposal is the only system that eliminates both the weight and volume of all suction canister waste in a facility. This includes not only the OR, but also the ER, L&D, and patient rooms. One standard system for fluid waste management improves safety and inventory control.
Third, Transposal eliminates leaking suction canisters from red bag waste. This eliminates the need for special liquid medical waste packaging required under Department of Transportation regulations. Competitive systems leave residual fluids and blood clots in disposable canisters and patient “ports” that must be specially packaged and disposed of as infectious waste. Finally, Transposal supports standard clinical practices for fluid collection and measurement as well as estimated blood loss (critical to anesthesia). Some competitive systems compromise these patient safety practices.
Q: How much equipment will I need for my OR Department?
A: Equipment configurations vary based on clinical requirements and budget limitations. A 10-suite OR can meet all fluid collection management requirements with a minimal investment in a single Safety Station disposal unit and three-day supply of reusable collectors. The top-of-the-line Ultra Cart System requires the purchase of one Ultra Duo or Quad fluid collection cart for each OR suite and one Ultra Evac disposal unit for every five carts.
Q: Is disposal equipment difficult to install?
A: No. Installation is no more difficult than hooking up a sink. Utility requirements include 1/2" to 3/4" hot and/or cold water lines, 1-1/2 to 2" drain line, and 120 volt electrical outlet with a 20 amp ground fault circuit breaker.
Q: How much training do you provide after the sale and installation of a system?
A: Group and one-on-one onsite training are provided by a Dornoch System Specialist for the initial one or two-days of system operation. Detailed training tapes and operational guides are provided to each customer at this time. Dornoch also has a toll free customer service line available for any post-installation questions.
Q: We solidify and incinerate our liquid filled suction canisters. Why should I consider the Transposal System?
A: There are several reasons you should consider a Dornoch system. First, solidifiers add more than $2.00 to the cost of each suction canister used. In addition, new EPA incinerator regulations are forcing hospitals to pay for expensive incinerator upgrades, compliance testing, and training. The prospect of these additional costs has caused many hospitals to close their incinerators. The alternative -- offsite treatment and disposal -- is also very expensive and extends exposure risks to personnel outside the hospital. Use of the Transposal System eliminates the need for solidifiers as well as the incineration of the majority of liquids and plastic associated with suction canisters.
