Controlled Substance Disposal in OR

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Carol Labadie
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Joined: 08/13/2013 - 13:40
Controlled Substance Disposal in OR

For hospitals that utilize Catcus, Stericycle CsRx, or other diversion deterrent waste systems:

1. Are these used in your ORs?
2. If so, do you have one in each OR or centralized areas?
3. How did you get by-in from anesthesia to use?
4. Does your anesthesia technician staff move full containers to a central location or does the vendor pick up at each location?
5. Do you dispose of other products besides controlled substances (i.e. propofol, etc)?
6. What size are your containers?
7. How frequently are they exchanged?
8. What are your number of OR cases per day?

We are evaluating implementing a system to manage controlled substance waste and have identified the OR as the first area to incorporate. Our Anesthesia Nurse Manager is wondering how well a system is working for others and what tricks you used to get Anesthesia by-in. I would love to hear challenges/successes from others. Thank you!

Carol Labadie, PharmD
Medication Safety Officer
Vidant Medical Center
Greenville NC 27834