Ouida Klock, MSN, RN, CNOR, estimates that switching from suction canisters to collect and transport patient fluids to a liquid waste disposal system has saved her ortho-pedically-focused surgery center (see "Site Visit" on page 83) more than $100,000 a year in disposal costs alone. As an added benefit, the complete fluid management system that her facility purchased reduces turnover time between cases and prevents the staff from having to come into contact with contaminated waste that could expose them to dangerous bloodborne pathogens, including HIV and Hepatitis C.

"We wanted to find a fluid management system that would protect our staff and at the same time reduce our fluid waste expenses," says Ms. Klock, administrator of the Mountain Empire Surgery Center in Johnson City, Tenn.