Suction Canister/Disposal Unit
The canister is used in place of the hospital's present suction canister, and the clinical practice for blood and body fluids collection does not change. Hook ups from the sterile field and vacuum sources are identical. When a surgical procedure is complete and suction is no longer needed, canisters are transported to the disposal unit on the instrument cart.
A disposal unit is typically located in a decontamination room near the operating room suites. When an instrument cart is unloaded in the decontamination room, one or two full canisters are placed in the disposal unit. The operator inserts a flush jet into the top of each canister. The flush jet pushes on a rod that dislodges a cap covering a hole on the bottom of the canister. Once the cap is dislodged, blood and flushing solution escape directly into the sanitary sewer drain without splashing or aerosolization. The operator then closes the disposal unit door and starts a 60-second flushing cycle by pushing a green start button. The disposal unit flushes collected fluids down the drain and cleans the canisters with a household bleach mixture.
Dornoch Medical Systems, Inc., 4032 W. Riverside Street, Riverside, MO 64150. Tel: 816-505-2226; Fax: 816-505-1050.