You can turn sharps into harmless trash
Can you imagine throwing your sharps in the trash can -- with no risk to anyone? EcoCycle 10 by Steris Corp. of Mentor, OH, pulverizes and decontaminates those materials, which the company says will allow you to virtually eliminate your sharps-related red-bag waste.
OR staff place trocars, scalpels, and other sharps into a metal container, the EcoCycle 10 grinds them for three minutes and soaks them in a peracetic-acid based chemical for seven minutes. The resulting shredded, decontaminated material can be thrown in the regular trash. A few exceptions: There are a few laparoscopic instruments that don't fit into the EcoCycle containers. In addition, you can't put gowns, gauze, or drapes in it.
All 50 states have approved the use of the EcoCycle and disposal of the contents in regular refuse, although five states require permits for its use, says Steris senior vice president Roy Malkin.
Another similar product called the SafeCycle 40 removes fluid waste during high-fluid procedures and allows facilities to get rid of suction canisters, which are also a part of red-bag waste. "The real focus is protecting health care workers from exposure," says Renee Bryan, director of business development at Steris. "But these are also cost-effective, new ways to handle waste."
The EcoCycle costs $18,000 to $25,000, depending on the number of metal containers required. The SafeCycle costs $18,000, plus $4 for single-use containers of cleaner concentrate.
[Editor's note: For more information or to get a copy of a video and brochure about the product, contact Steris Corp. Customer Service, 5960 Heisley Road, Mentor, OH 44060. Telephone: (800) 548-4873. Fax: (216) 639-4450.] *
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